FROGS

WHAT DO FROGS EAT?

A frog eats many insects including flies, mosquitoes and other harmful insects.
That is why frogs are good to have around.
They also eat small fish, worms, snails and spiders.
Some frogs even eat other frogs!

HOW DO FROGS GET THEIR FOOD?

The frog has a long sticky tongue fastened at the front of its mouth.
The tongue flicks in and out to catch its food.
The frog has tiny "teeth" on its upper jaw and on the roof of its mouth.
These "teeth" are mainly used to hold the prey.
Then the frog pulls its eyes down into the roof of its mouth.
The eyes help to push the food down its throat.

ENEMIES (predators)

Animals that eat frogs include snakes, lizards, birds, shrews, raccoons, foxes, otters and weasels. Even under water frogs aren't safe from hungry fish, turtles and water birds Frogs have to watch out for larger frogs. Humans are also their enemies. Humans eat them, destroy their habitat and pollute the water.

ESCAPING THEIR ENEMIES

Frogs are fast. They can leap away quickly. Some try to escape by going underwater. Some frogs play dead. There are poisonous frogs. Some taste awful so the predator spits them out. Some frogs have bright markings which "flash" as they jump, but disappear when they land. The enemy thinks the frog is gone. Body markings like stripes, or spots that look like eyes can fool enemies. Some frogs change color and blend into the background. There is a frog that puffs itself up so it looks too big to swallow