Adaptation of a frog to its environment. Useful inhabitants of the garden

The toad, or true toad, is usually classified as a member of the class Amphibians, the order Tailless, and the family Toads. It is worth noting that many people confuse the toad family with the frog family. There are even languages ​​that use one name to identify these amphibians.

Description of the earth toad. How is it different from a frog?

The earth toad has a slightly flattened body. The amphibian's head is large with strongly pronounced parotid glands. The upper jaw is completely missing teeth. The eyes are quite large, the pupils are located horizontally. There are fingers on the front and hind limbs, which are connected to each other by swimming membranes.

Many people wonder why the frog jumps and the toad walks? main reason thing is The land toad has rather short hind legs, therefore the amphibian is very slow, not as jumping as a frog, and swims poorly. However, individuals have another unique ability– they can catch insects flying by with a lightning-fast movement of their tongue. Frogs have smoother skin than toads and need constant hydration. This is why frogs spend most of their time in ponds. Toads have drier and keratinized skin; it does not need moisturizing. It also has warts.

The earthen toad also has poisonous glands that are located on its back. These glands secrete mucus, which, when it comes into contact with skin covering provokes an unpleasant burning sensation, but is not capable of causing much harm to a person. The amphibian can easily hide from enemies, as it has gray, brown, black and spotted colors. If an individual is bright in color, this may indicate its toxicity.

As for the size of the amphibian, then length ranges from 2.5 cm to 53 cm. The weight of large species can reach more than a kilogram. The average lifespan of an amphibian toad is about 30 years. There are also some species that can live up to 40 years.

Main types of amphibian toads

Currently, science knows about 579 species of amphibian toads, which are divided into 40 genera, a third of which can be found on European territory. Only 6 species from the genus Bufo live in the CIS countries:

• ordinary;
• green;
• Far Eastern;
• Caucasian;
• reedy or smelly;
• Mongolian

It is worth reading the descriptions of the above types in more detail.

Where do toads live?

Because there are so many different species of ground toads, their range is very wide. The list of places where these amphibians are distributed does not only include Antarctica. Even in Australia it was recently artificially bred population of poisonous toad agi.

Ground toads live in a variety of geographical areas:

• on swampy shores;
• on floodplain meadows;
• in the steppes;
• in arid deserts.

It is also worth noting that toads are terrestrial inhabitants, and they enter reservoirs only to spawn. Amphibians lead a solitary lifestyle, and gather in groups only during the mating season.

What do toads eat?

If we talk about their feeding method, ground toads are typical predators. They feed mainly on small invertebrates:

• butterflies;
• snails;
• worms;
• insects;
• insect larvae;
• fish fry.

The diet of larger species may include:

• small rodents;
• lizards;
• frogs.

Amphibians are more active at night and twilight. Amphibians jump out from ambush at their prey.

Reproduction

Mating season in conditions temperate climate, as a rule, begins in the spring. In tropical regions, this period falls during the rainy season. During the mating season, females and males gather near water bodies. The male attracts females with the help of a special resonator, which is located behind the ears or on the throat, emitting peculiar sounds. When the female approaches the male, he climbs onto her back and fertilizes the eggs she lays. The clutch consists of two gelatinous cords and contains up to 7 thousand eggs. After the females finish spawning, they leave the pond and settle down on its shore.

In the period from 5 days to 2 months, larvae appear. This period depends on the type of amphibian. The larvae turn into tailed tadpoles, and then into young tailless individuals. Puberty in young individuals it occurs only a year after birth. In Africa, there are some species of ground toads that are viviparous. Currently, they are on the verge of extinction and are listed in the Red Book.

The pond and lake frog belongs to the class of amphibians. It has a body length of 7-10 centimeters. Her skin is bright green with a brown tint. On the back there are dark spots and a white longitudinal stripe, the abdomen is white.

The frogs' eyes are bright golden. In spring, near ponds and swamps, their loud mating concerts can be heard. These animals winter in the forest, buried in soft soil or in warm ponds. Already in the second half of April, when the air warms up to 8-10 degrees, frogs begin mating games. The female lays eggs on the bottom of the swamp or on the stems of aquatic plants. One frog can lay 400-1800 eggs. Tadpoles of light olive or green color soon emerge from them. Frogs live up to 12 years.

The pond and lake frog feeds on insects. Its permanent menu consists of dragonfly larvae, mosquitoes, water beetles and mollusks. If there is not enough food, the frogs eat fish fry and even tadpoles. Large frogs of this species sometimes attack small animals (voles, shrews). Small birds, chicks and snakes can also become their prey. The frogs themselves also become objects of hunting for predatory fish, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Frogs of this breed live in southern and central Europe, in Central Asia and in North Africa. They are found in Crimea, the Caucasus and Kazakhstan. This species of amphibian lives in many regions of Russia.

Pond and lake frogs are often used in medicine and for experiments. They are edible, such a delicacy as frog legs are made from this particular type of frog. These animals also play a significant role in the natural food chain. Their eggs, tadpoles and themselves serve as food for many animals and fish.

Video - breeding of a pond frog.

Video: fight of lake frogs or toad fight.

And another video - tadpoles of a pond frog.

Toad, or real toad, belongs to the class of amphibians, order of tailless, family of toads (lat. Bufonidae). The families of toads and frogs are sometimes confused. There are even languages ​​that use one name to identify these amphibians.

Toad - description and characteristics. What is the difference between a toad and a frog?

Toads have a slightly flattened body with a fairly large head and pronounced parotid glands. The upper jaw of the wide mouth is devoid of teeth. The eyes are large with horizontally located pupils. The toes of the fore and hind limbs, located on the sides of the body, are connected by swimming membranes. Some people ask the question why does a frog jump and a toad only walk?. The fact is that the hind limbs of toads are quite short, so they are slow, not as jumping as frogs, and swim poorly. But with a lightning-fast movement of their tongue, they grab insects flying by. Unlike toads, the frog's skin is smooth and needs to be moisturized, so the frog spends all its time in or near water. The skin of toads is drier, keratinized, does not require constant hydration and is completely covered with warts.

The toad's poison glands are located on its back. They secrete mucus that causes an unpleasant burning sensation but does not cause much harm to humans. The toad is an amphibian, colored in shades of gray, brown or black with spotted streaks, easily hiding from enemies. The bright color of the toad indicates its poisonousness.

The size of the toad ranges from 25 mm to 53 cm, and the weight of large individuals can be more than a kilogram. Their average duration life span is 25-35 years, some individuals live up to 40 years.

Types of toads, names and photos.

The toad family includes 579 species, distributed into 40 genera, of which only a third live in Eurasia. In the CIS countries, 6 species of the genus Bufo are common:

• gray or common toad;
• green toad;
• Far Eastern toad;
• Caucasian toad;
• reed or stinking toad;
• Mongolian toad.

Below you will find more detailed description these toads.

• Common toad (gray toad) (lat. Bufo bufo)- one of the largest representatives of the family. The wide, squat body of the common toad can be painted in a wide variety of colors - from gray and olive to dark terracotta and brown. The eyes of this toad species are bright orange, with horizontal pupils. The secretion secreted by the skin glands is absolutely not toxic to humans. The common toad lives in Russia, Europe, and also in the northwestern countries of Africa. The toad lives almost everywhere, preferring to settle in dry zones of forest-steppes and forests; it is often found in parks or recently plowed fields.

• (lat. Bufo viridis). This type of toad has a grayish-olive color, complemented by large spots dark green, edged with black stripes. This “camouflage” coloring is an excellent camouflage from enemies. Green toad skin highlights toxic substance, dangerous for her enemies. The hind limbs are long, but rather poorly developed, so the toad rarely jumps, preferring to walk slowly. This species of toad lives in Southern and Central Europe, North Africa, Western, Middle and Central Asia, found in the Volga region. More southern view than the gray toad, in the north of Russia it reaches only Vologda and Kirov regions. For living, the green toad chooses open places - meadows, fields overgrown with short grass, river floodplains.

• (lat. Bufo gargarizans). Representatives of this species can have different body colors - from dark gray to olive with a brownish tint. There are small spines on the skin outgrowths of the Far Eastern toad, the upper part of the body is decorated with spectacular longitudinal stripes, the abdomen is always lighter, usually without a pattern, less often - covered with small spots. The female Far Eastern toad is always larger than the male and has a wider head. The distribution area is quite wide: the toad of this species lives in China and Korea, inhabits the territory of the Far East and Sakhalin, and is found in Transbaikalia. Prefers to settle in damp places - in shady forests, water meadows, and river floodplains.

• Caucasian (Colchian) toad (lat. Bufo verrucosissimus)- the largest amphibian found in Russia, it can reach 12.5 cm in length. The skin color is either dark gray or light Brown. Individuals that have not reached sexual maturity are pale orange in color. The toad's habitat covers only the regions of the Western Caucasus. The Colchis toad inhabits forested areas of mountains and foothills, and is less common in wet caves.

• Reed or stinking toad (lat. Bufo calamita)- a fairly large amphibian up to 8 cm in length, body color varies from gray-olive to brown or brown-sand, with green spots, the abdomen is grayish-white. A narrow yellow stripe runs along the back of the reed toad. The skin is lumpy, but there are no spines on the growths. Males have a highly developed throat resonator. A representative of this species of toad lives in European countries: in its northern and eastern parts, its distribution area includes Great Britain, southern territories Sweden, Baltic states. The reed toad is found in Belarus, on western Ukraine, V Kaliningrad region Russia. The toad chooses the banks of reservoirs, swampy lowlands, shady and damp thickets of bushes as its place of residence.

• (lat. Bufo raddei). The body of this toad is slightly flattened, with a round head, slightly pointed in the front, and can reach 9 cm in length. The eyes are strongly bulging. The skin of the Mongolian toad is covered huge number warts, in females they are smooth, but in males they are often covered with prickly growths-thorns. The color of the species is varied: there are individuals of light gray, golden beige or rich brown. Specks of various geometries form a spectacular pattern on the back of the toad; in the middle part of the back there is a clearly defined light stripe. The abdomen is grayish or pale yellow, without spots. The Mongolian toad chooses the south of Siberia as its habitat (it is found on the coast of Lake Baikal, in the Chita region, in Buryatia), and inhabits Far East, Korea, foothills of Tibet, China, Mongolia.

• Pineal-headed toad (lat. Anaxyrus terrestris)- a species found only in the southeastern United States. In structure it is not very different from its relatives, the only thing characteristic feature The cone-headed toad are rather high ridges located longitudinally on the head and forming large swellings behind the eyes of the amphibian. Some individuals reach 11 cm in length; the color of the skin, covered with many warts, can range from dark brown and bright green to brown, grayish or yellow. By the way, the wart-like outgrowths are always either darker or lighter than the main color tone, so the coloring of the toad looks very variegated. The amphibian prefers to settle on light and dry sandstones with sparse plant cover. It often chooses semi-desert areas for habitat, and sometimes settles near human dwellings.

• Cricket toad (lat. Anaxyrus debilis). The body length of these amphibians reaches 3.5-3.7 cm, and females are always larger than males. The main color tone of the toad is green or slightly yellowish; brown-black spots are superimposed on top of the dominant color, the belly is cream-colored, the skin on the throat is black in males and whitish in individuals of the opposite sex. The toad's skin is covered with warts. The tadpoles of the cricket toad have a black lower body interspersed with golden sparkles. The cricket toad lives in Mexico and some US states - Texas, Arizona, Kansas and Colorado.

• Blomberg's toad (lat. Bufo blombergi) - biggest toad in the world. She is larger than . The dimensions of Blomberg's toad are truly impressive: the body length of a mature individual often reaches 24-25 centimeters. Since the mid-20th century, the clumsy and completely harmless Blomberg's toad has, unfortunately, been almost on the verge of extinction. This “giant” lives in the tropics of Colombia and along the coast Pacific Ocean(in Colombia and Ecuador).

• Kihansi splashing toad (lat. Nectophrynoides asperginis)- the smallest toad in the world. The size of the toad does not exceed the dimensions of a five ruble coin. The length of an adult female is 2.9 cm, the length of a male does not exceed 1.9 cm. Previously this type The toad was distributed in Tanzania on an area of ​​2 hectares at the foot of the Kihansi River waterfall. Today, the Kihansi toad is on the verge of complete extinction and natural environment habitat is practically non-existent. All this happened due to the construction of a dam on the river in 1999, which limited the flow of water into the natural habitat of these amphibians by 90%. Currently, Kihansi toads live only in zoos.

Frogs live in the meadows in wet forests and swamps, as well as along the banks quiet rivers and picturesque lakes. These unique ones are prominent representatives of the order of tailless amphibians.

The size of frogs depends on the species: European frogs are usually no larger than one decimeter. North American frog - can be twice as large. And the African frog, which is a kind of record holder, reaches gigantic size half a meter in size and weighing several kilograms.

In the photo there is a goliath frog

There are also small species of frogs (narrow-mouthed family, or microfrogs), whose length is less than a centimeter.

In the photo there is a microfrog frog

External signs group of animal frogs are: a stocky figure, protruding eyes, shortened forelimbs in comparison with the folding hind limbs, a toothless lower jaw, a forked tongue and the absence of a tail.

Frogs are cold-blooded animals, that is, they have a body temperature that directly depends on the state of the environment. The frog group of amphibian animals is impressive and diverse, including about five hundred species. It is believed that their original habitat was Africa.

With the help of similar devices that nature has provided frogs with, they are able to produce the widest range of sounds. This is an amazing cacophony, and such magnificent concerts are staged by male frogs, attracting relatives of the opposite sex.

By watching frogs you can learn many interesting and amazing things. In episodes of life, escape from enemies and other unusual situations, amphibian frogs sometimes behave extremely unusually. Periodically, the frog sheds its skin, which is not an organ necessary for life, and by eating it continues to live until a new one grows.

Domestic frogs often kept in aquariums, trying to be closer to nature. Many species of frogs bred in scientific laboratories for experiments and biological research.

Nutrition

Insectivorous frogs They are predators, happily eating small invertebrates. Particularly large ones do not disdain more impressive prey; some species of animal frogs even mercilessly devour their own relatives.

To hunt their victims, frogs use a sticky and long tongue, which they deftly catch midges and other living creatures in mid-flight. Among the frog species there are also omnivores that happily eat fruit.

Frogs bring enough benefits to humans, destroying and eating many harmful ones, and. Therefore, many owners of vegetable gardens and household plots treat such helpers with great sympathy and create for them all the conditions for breeding and living.

Frogs are eaten, making them extremely original dishes, which are delicacies and are used for elegant tables.

Reproduction and lifespan

Frogs breed, laying eggs in the water, and its quantity is truly huge and amazing, sometimes reaching up to 20 thousand eggs at a time. Grass and pond frogs lay up to hundreds of eggs, which are large lumps. Sometimes females do this in groups.

The eggs hatch into tadpoles. These creatures are frog larvae, breathe through gills, can exist and move only in aquatic environment and have a tail. The transformation of eggs into tadpoles takes from 7 to 10 days.

Over time, the tadpoles begin to change greatly and go through a stage of metamorphosis, which lasts about 4 months. First, their hind limbs grow, then their forelimbs, then the tail-rudder disappears, and the tadpoles turn into adults with distinctive features a type of frog ready for life on earth. At three years old, frogs become sexually mature.

The photo shows frog eggs

Measuring the lifespan of frogs is quite difficult. But according to the data scientific research, using measurements of the growth of the phalanges of the fingers by season, data were obtained that allowed us to believe that adult individuals are able to live up to 10 years, and taking into account the tadpole stage, up to 14 years.

The lake frog is the largest representative of its species. It is quite wide, so the shape of the color varies depending on the territory. Populations are usually large.

Lake frog: description

It has an elongated body with a slightly pointed snout. The color of the upper part may vary. It is usually green in color, but sometimes gray and brown frogs are found. The entire body is covered with large dark spots of uneven shape.

Most representatives of this species have a clearly visible light stripe with small inclusions along the spine and head.

The body below is yellowish or off-white. Almost black spots are often present. The eyes are golden. In the natural environment it lives up to 10 years. The lake frog grows up to 17 cm in length. It should be noted that males are slightly smaller than females, but they have resonators. During the daytime, it periodically enters the water to increase the moisture content of the skin, but at night, when the air temperature drops, the frog is not in danger of drying out the surface of the body.

Habitat

The amphibian prefers steppes; in the southern part it can be found in deserts; in the north it inhabits some areas of the taiga. Thus, its habitat is Central and Asia, Kazakhstan, Russia, the Caucasus, Iran, and North Africa.

The lake frog lives in bodies of water (more than 20 cm deep). Inhabits ponds, mouths and banks of rivers, lakes. You can also see it within the city limits along the concrete banks of reservoirs, in thickets of willows and reeds. He treats the presence of a person nearby calmly.

Even to the most extreme conditions The lake frog can adapt. The habitat of individuals of this species can therefore vary greatly; they are able to survive in places heavily contaminated with waste, but in this case anomalies in development are possible.

It also easily and quickly colonizes artificial dams and reservoirs. When water bodies dry up, they can migrate to a new habitat, covering up to 12 km.

Behavior

The lake frog is a heat-loving species. It is active around the clock at temperatures from +8 to +40 °C. During particularly hot hours, it hides in the shade of plants.

Conducts both on the shore and in the water. On land, it basks in the sun while remaining motionless. However, having excellent hearing and vision, at the slightest danger it jumps into the water. Here the frog finds a safe place and hides, often simply hiding in the mud. It can stay in water for quite a long time. And only after he is convinced that there is no danger, he returns to his previous place.

Although she is a good swimmer, she still avoids fast currents, although she is not afraid even of a wave.

The lifestyle of the lake frog allows it to remain over the winter in the same body of water. Sometimes it moves in search of deeper places or to springs. Where the water doesn't freeze all year round, the frog remains active constantly. Wintering lasts about 230 days, all this time it is in the silt or at the bottom. It rises to the top by mid-May, when the water warms up enough. In case of frost it dies a large number of frogs.

In areas favorable for habitat, the number of amphibians is simply amazing. Often frogs sit on the shore in huge flocks, and the surface of the reservoir is simply teeming with numerous protruding faces.

Diet

What does the lake frog eat? It all depends on age, habitat, gender and time of year. They feed both on land and in water.

Land hunting takes place just a few meters from the shore. This amphibian is a real predator. Due to its impressive size, its potential prey can be a small lizard and snake, a mouse, a chick and even a smaller frog.

In the water, newts, small fish and their own tadpoles become lunch. The main diet includes invertebrates - crustaceans, insects, mollusks, millipedes and worms.

The lake frog can catch its prey even in flight. Usually these are butterflies, flies, dragonflies. During the hunt, she actively uses her tongue, throwing it several centimeters forward. Sticky mucus helps to hold mobile prey. If the prey is at a great distance, then the amphibian creeps up to it carefully. The frog can also jump very accurately, landing in the right place.

The main diet of tadpoles is small algae.

How does the lake frog reproduce?

The female reaches puberty at three years of age. Unlike other amphibians, reproduction occurs much later in time. The frog waits until the water temperature rises to +18 °C. Usually this is the end of May or June. It lays eggs in the same body of water in which it lives; it does not make special migrations for this purpose.

From the moment the first frog appears after wintering until the start of spawning, it takes from one week to a month.

They gather to reproduce in large groups. Males during this period are especially vocal and very active. When they croak, resonators swell at the corners of their mouths. Also, during the breeding season, males develop seals on the front leg on the first toe - nuptial calluses.

Their “songs” attract the attention of females. Mating occurs before eggs are laid. However, fertilization is external. This happens in almost all amphibians, and the lake frog is no exception.

The description of this process is as follows: the male embraces the female in such a way that his front paws are on the chest. In this way, sperm and eggs are simultaneously released into the water, which promotes fertilization. more eggs Sometimes one female can be “hugged” by two or three males at once.

The breeding period is one month. One female can lay up to 6,000 eggs.

Lake frog tadpoles

Tadpoles appear 3-15 days after fertilization. Immediately after birth, they spread throughout the entire reservoir. During the day they are more active, at night they hide at the bottom. In just 2-3 months they reach a length of 9 cm. However, after metamorphosis, the frogs are only 1.5-2.5 cm.

The most favorable water temperature for them is + 20-28°C, at +5-6°C development stops, and at +1-2°C they die. Not all tadpoles will develop into adult lake frogs. Most of them will become food for various birds.