FROGS

What’s the Difference Between Frogs and Toads?

Are frogs and toads really that different? Get the facts on their appearance, habitats, and breeding habits and learn how to tell them apart.

The chocolate frog on a very green leaf.

Scientists Have Identified a New ‘Chocolate Frog’ Species

We simply have to assume that at least one researcher made some reference to Harry Potter’s chocolate frogs when they found it.

An alpine newt glows green after being exposed to blue light.

It’s Easy Being Green: Most Amphibians Are Biofluorescent, Study Finds

After being bathed in blue light, salamanders, frogs, and other amphibians glowed a brilliant green. There's more to these critters than meets the eye.

7 Animal Myths You Shouldn’t Believe

No, you probably aren’t eating any spiders in your sleep.

What's the Difference Between Venom and Poison?

It’s all about how it enters the body.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Flickr // CC BY 2.0

How The Supreme Court Could Decide the Fate of the Endangered Dusky Gopher Frog

Fewer than 100 frogs remain.

Big Problem in the Big Easy: Invasive Cuban Treefrogs Move into Louisiana

Cuban treefrogs are a major pest in south and central Florida. Now they're in New Orleans, too.

Tom Houslay, Flickr Creative Commons // CC BY-NC 2.0

Scientists Catch Tiny Jumping Spiders Eating Frogs and Lizards

Eight legs, eight eyes, no fears.

The Reason Some Frogs Grow Extra Legs

The culprit is parasites, not pollution.

Leon Brooks, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

Mass Extinction That Killed the Dinosaurs Also Led to 'Explosive Radiations of Frogs'

Ninety percent of frogs alive today descend from just three lineages that survived the extinction 66 million years ago.

David V. Raju via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0

This Frog’s Slime Fights the Flu

A peptide secreted by the frog’s skin kills the H1 variety of the flu virus.

Scientists Have Discovered Four New (Very Tiny) Night Frogs

Seven new frog species were discovered in all.

"Reversible" Spit Helps Frogs Nab Their Prey

The saliva’s variable viscosity keeps the frog’s meal secured to its bungee cord–like tongue.

This Teeny Frog Makes Its Own Insect Repellent

The Amazonian amphibian produces a chemical camouflage that renders it invisible to its aggressive ant neighbors.

Devin Edmonds, USGS via Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

Good News: One Endangered Frog Species Is Bouncing Back

Numbers of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs are on the rise again in Yosemite National Park.

More Testosterone Means More Foot Wiggling for These Frogs

Bornean rock frogs use visual “foot flags” to ward off rivals in their noisy environment.

Brian Gratwicke via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0

These Frogs Have Developed a Resistance to Killer Fungus

Some populations of lowland leopard frogs in Arizona have gene variants that protect them from a deadly fungal disease.

Hawaii's Big Island Is Overrun With Loud Frogs From Puerto Rico

Hawaii’s Big Island is overrun with a very tiny—and very loud—frog.

Brian Gratwicke, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0

This Frog Escapes Danger by Running Toward It

Sometimes the best, or even only, solution to a problem is a counterintuitive one.

Michael Maggs via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 3.0

7 Animals With Grand Mythological Names

Like proud parents, scientists often give their discoveries the biggest, most impressive names they can think of.

12 Facts and Photos of Bright, Beautiful Amphibians

Frogs Eat with Their Eyes—Literally

5 Freaky and Fascinating Frogs

From burrowing in the soil to popping baby frogs out of their backs, the frogs in this list have some very strange habits.

Frogs Use Storm Drains for Better Mating Calls

As humans take up ever more space and urbanize the untamed wilderness, the animals that call these places home have a tough choice to make: move on to someplace else or adapt to their new surroundings.