The Science of Jumping. Different Frogs, Different
Styles
Frogs.
The beloved creature that almost every child has seen or played with. Frogs are
part of a large and diverse group of organisms called amphibians that are
mainly carnivorous. Frogs can inhabit a variety of environments from high in
the trees to swimming underwater or hiding underground. They can be found on every
continent except Antarctica. They have several special characteristics unique
to them. Frogs have powerful hind legs that allow them to jump distances, the
ability to absorb water through skin so that they do not have to drink, and can
breathe through their skin.
The
style of jumping that a frog has is influenced by the environment that it lives
in. Different species of frog have different jumping abilities. Frogs that live
in trees can jump high but do not cover much distance. While frogs that lived in water could jump long distances but not very high from the ground. Frogs that
lived in burrows had jumps that were low in both distance and height. Ultimately
this can all be attributed to the shape of the individual frog. Aquatic frogs
have long limbs and bodies meant for swimming. Burrowing frogs have short limbs
and thickset bodies to help with digging.
The
ability to jump distances whether short or long has helped frogs. They can use
this ability to escape from predators. This can also make travelling a bit
faster as opposed to walking. Frogs can leap 20 times their body length. For some
comparison fleas can jump 100 times their body length. So, the next you are playing
hopscotch think about how you could be hopping if you could jump many times your
body length.
Original article: https://phys.org/news/2014-07-frog-style-environment-video.html
Posted by Trung Le (2)
This is a fun little blog post, I enjoy how light hearted and accessible it is. Perhaps a picture with the differnt types of frogs could be included to the peak interest of the reader. I also feel as though the first half of the title doesn't fit the article well "The Science of Jumping..." leads me to believe that the blog will be centered around the physiological aspects of jumping. Perhaps the title should be "Adapting to Habitats: Different Frogs, Different Jumping Styles"
ReplyDelete-Brooke Sullivan
You bring up a good point there. A more accurate title could provide readers such as yourself a better idea of what to expect.
Delete-Trung Le
It definitely makes sense that the style/way of how a frog jumps is related to the environment they live in. I knew frogs could jump a great length, but it never occurred to me that it could be 20 times their body length. It's amazing how something so small can jump such a large distance. I used to do track and it would remind me how hard it is to lunge my legs sometimes. I would've loved to see some pictures in relation to this blog! I feel like it will put everything together.
ReplyDelete-Posted by Catherine Tsang (3)
The jumping ability of the frog is impressive. Something else just as impressive is how far a flea can jump. Fleas can jump up to 200x their body length. As for the picture, I had some trouble putting one in with its link included. It kept giving me error. But a picture would have made it easier to visualize.
Delete-Trung Le
Hi Trung, I found your article very interesting. I always knew that frogs came in all shapes in sizes from watching nature documentaries as a kid but I have never really thought about as to why. The two general body types that you mentioned I feel like do encompass the two strategies and living environments of the frogs. I was curious if in your reading you have come across if these two strategies are location dependent? Personally, when I think of frogs I think of the cool colorful frogs of the rain forests rather than the small stumpy ones I used to play with as a kid.
ReplyDeleteZane Ruehrwein (3)
I would imagine it would be so since the physical attributes of each frog would be suited for its specific environment. Kind of how people living near certain regions may have darker or lighter skin. If frogs were moved to a new environment and given time they may change jumping styles as well.
Delete-Trung Le
It is so interesting to think about a frogs ability to jump. It seems as though it had to do with the environment it lives in as well as escaping predators as you mentioned in your post. This was an interesting post seeing as though frogs are a fun animal to think about. The jumping topic really intrigued me as it is a unique characteristic of frogs.
ReplyDeletePosted by Sarah Aboody (1)
Thanks for the feedback. Frogs really are amazing creatures and have a variety of characteristics. The one that really resonates with people is how they can jump. Few animals jump around as a primary means of travel. Some creatures are: the kangaroo, kangaroo mouse, flea and other things.
Delete-Trung Le
This post is interesting as I never really considered that frogs jumping abilities so widely varied depending on their environment. It makes sense from an evolutionary perspective, as natural selection would favor the frogs that could best fit the habitat, therefore developing different jumping capabilities for each different environment. The physiology of the frogs widely vary depending on their environment.
ReplyDeleteDerek Simoncelli (3)
This amazed me too. Before I thought that frogs all jumped roughly the same. It is scary how nature weeds out those individuals unfit to survive in that environment.
Delete-Trung Le
When thinking of a frog's ability to jump long distances I never would have thought they'd be able to jump 20 times their body length. It is also interesting how they are born with adaptations for their environment, which makes sense that natural selection would select for those most favorable traits.
ReplyDelete-Sunaina Sharma (3)
Frogs are amazing creatures being able to thrive in a variety of conditions and having an interesting life cycle. No wonder little children are always interested in frogs when they see them jumping around.
Delete-Trung Le