A frog is any member of the order Anura, which consists of a varied and mostly carnivorous group of short-bodied, tailless amphibians (literally without tail in Ancient Greek). The earliest fossil “proto-frog” was discovered in Madagascar during the early Triassic period, although molecular clock dating shows its beginnings date back to the Permian period, 265 million years ago. Frogs are found all throughout the world, from the tropics to the subarctic, although tropical rainforests have the largest diversity of species. There are around 7,300 species reported, accounting for approximately 88 percent of all living amphibian species. They are also one of the five vertebrate orders with the greatest diversity. Toads are a common name for warty frog species, although the distinction between frogs and toads is based on habit rather than taxonomy or evolutionary history.

A mature frog has a strong body, prominent eyes, a tongue that is anteriorly connected, limbs that are folded below it, and no tail (the tail of tailed frogs is an extension of the male cloaca). Frogs have glandular skin, which produces a variety of unpleasant to poisonous fluids. Their skin ranges in color from well-camouflaged mottled brown, grey, and green to brilliant patterns of bright red, yellow, and black to indicate toxicity and fend off predators. Adult frogs may be found in both fresh and saltwater, with certain species suited to dwell underground or in trees.

In most cases, frogs deposit their eggs in water. Tadpoles are aquatic larvae with tails and internal gills that emerge from the eggs. Their rasping mouthparts are highly adapted for herbivorous, omnivorous, or planktivorous diets. When they mature into adults, their life cycle is complete. A few species lay their eggs on land or skip the tadpole stage entirely. Adult frogs eat tiny invertebrates as a carnivorous diet, although omnivore species occur, and a few graze on plant materials. The microbiota of frog skin is crucial for their health. Frogs are exceptionally good at turning their food into body mass. They are a significant food source for predators and play a vital role in the food web dynamics of many ecosystems throughout the world. They either dwell in wet locations or have specific adaptations to deal with dry habitats since their skin is semi-permeable, leaving them sensitive to dehydration. Frogs generate a broad range of vocalizations, especially during the breeding season, and engage in various complicated behaviors to attract partners, ward off predators, and simply live.

Humans regard frogs as food, but they also play important cultural roles in literature, symbolism, and religion. Frog populations decreases are generally seen as early warning signals of environmental degradation, and losses in frog numbers are sometimes viewed as environmental bellwethers. Since the 1950s, frog populations have been steadily declining. More than a third of species are considered endangered, and more than 120 are thought to have gone extinct since the 1980s. Frog deformities are on the rise, and chytridiomycosis, an emerging fungal disease, has spread throughout the globe. Conservation biologists are trying to figure out what’s causing these issues and how to fix them.

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