Adaptation of desert frogs to desert condition

An adaptation is a physical or behavioural change that an animal or plant possesses to help it cope with its environment. Here are some of the ways frogs have adapted to their new desert homes:

• Desert frogs burrow underground during the dry months, in order to escape the searing sun. They can stay underground for many months while they wait for the next rains to fall.
• Whilst underground, many species produce a type of cocoon with many layers of their shed skin that covers their entire body (except for the nostrils). This helps to reduce water loss.
• Most desert frogs only reproduce in response to a significant rainfall event. Females can then lay eggs in temporary Some even lay their eggs in mud. These eggs then hatch when they are eventually flooded with water, and the tadpoles can swim straight into the water! Smart.
• One particular type of frog, the Northern Sandhill Frog, doesn’t even need water to hatch its eggs. These babies hop right over the tadpole stage, hatching out of their eggs as tiny, fully formed versions of their adult parents.
• Chiloleples, the desert frog flourishes in the desert because it is nocturnal that hides during day when temperatures are high and becomes active during night when temperatures are low.

Please find free downloadable notes, exams and marking guides of agriculture, biology, Physics, chemistry etc.  from digitalteachers.co.ug website.

Dr. Bbosa Science