What Kinds of Spaces Do Frogs Live In?

Fossil records show that frogs have been around for at least 200 million years. Their resiliency and ability to adapt to their surroundings have helped them survive and thrive in many different environments for long periods of time. Although there is not much research about the life span of frogs in the wild or captivity, frogs in captivity have been known to live anywhere from four to 20 years.

  1. Double Lives

    • Frogs are part of a larger group of animals called amphibians. This word comes from the Greek words "amphi" and "bios," meaning double life. Most frogs live in two places: in water as larvae, using their tails to swim and gills to breathe, and on land as adults using both their lungs and skin to breathe. Most frogs are able to spend long periods of time underwater. However, there are some species that primarily live on land and only enter water during mating season and to lay their eggs. There are also frogs that live in trees, while others live underground in burrows. During winter months, most frog species hibernate in mud at the bottom of a pond or underground in moist soil.

    Where Frogs Live

    • Frogs can survive in a variety of environments. They live in rainforests, caves, on moutaintops and even in deserts. However, a majority of frogs are found in warm, moist, tropical areas and near bodies of water where there are plenty of small animals like snails, fish and bugs to eat. Frogs spend most of their time on land, but live close to water because they breathe and drink through their skin. Their skin must stay moist because it allows oxygen to pass through. Their ability to extract oygen from water through their skin allows them to spend longer amounts of time underwater. They may suffocate if their skin dries. Frogs in dry climates dig burrows to stay moist and some have developed the ability to withstand longer periods of time in dry conditions by burrowing underground and covering themselves with their shed skin.

    Ideal Habitat Conditions

    • Besides water, frogs require a habitat that provides adequate amounts of food and shelter. Frogs are omnivores and need habitats with both plants and small animals. Tadpoles live in water for several weeks until they develop legs and lose their gills. During this time they eat large amounts of food found in water such as plants, decaying animals, frog eggs and other tadpoles. Adult frogs eat insects and small animals such as snails, spiders, worms and small fish. An ideal frog habitat should not have fast moving water and should contain rocks and stems where frogs can lay their eggs. Also, it is necessary that their habitat have plenty of leafy plants where they can hide from predators by blending in with their surroundings.

    Making Your Own Frog Habitat

    • Anyone wanting to keep these adaptive animals as pets can purchase commercial aquariums which are designed specifically for frogs. A frog habitat can also be created by transforming a section of an outdoor garden. Placing a small pond in the garden provides the needed moisture and water source that frogs need. A pond that is appropriate for garden frogs is one that is not too deep, has plants that will provide protection and food, rocks for sunning on and still places to breed. These ponds can accomodate fish that don't eat frog larvae or tadpoles.