Frog Terms

Excerpted from Wild America: Toads, available online in Kids InfoBits

amphibian:

a cold-blooded animal that lives both on land and in the water

amplexus:

the mating process of frogs and toads

breeding chorus:

a group of male frogs or toads singing their mating call

camouflage:

any behavior or appearance that helps disguise an animal in its environment

carnivore:

an animal that mainly eats meat

estivate:

to rest during hot weather and allow the body to cool down

hibernate:

to sleep through the winter

metamorphosis:

the physical changes that transform an egg to a tadpole to an adult amphibian

nocturnal:

an animal that sleeps during the day and is active at night

predator:

an animal that hunts other animals for food

prey:

an animal that is hunted by another animal

spawn:

eggs

tadpole:

the organism that hatches from a frog or toad egg

tubercles:

bumpy markings on a toad's skin

tympanum:

the ears of a frog or toad