Frogs

Frogs are AMPHIBIANS, meaning they are cold-blooded vertebrates that can live both in water and on land. Unlike reptiles, amphibians have moist, permeable skin that absorbs water and oxygen directly from their environment. There are over 7,000 known species of frogs found on every continent except Antarctica. Frogs belong to the order ANURA, a name derived from the Greek words meaning 'without tail,' which perfectly describes their tailless adult form. Their remarkable ADAPTATIONS over millions of years have made them one of the most DIVERSE and widespread groups of vertebrates on Earth. Scientists consider frogs a KEYSTONE species in many ecosystems because their presence or absence signals the overall health of that environment.