The breeding cycle of frogs is unique in the world of nature and unlike most any other species of animal on the planet.
Once frogs mature enough to become ready for mating, they will gather at a water source such as a pond or stream for the process of breeding. Many frogs if it is possible will return to the place of their birth, which can result in annual migrations that can involve up to several thousand frogs. In Europe, a large number of frogs for years met their deaths as they tried to cross roads to breed until special fences and tunnels were built just for them.
When they arrive at their breeding grounds, male frogs will call to attract a mate and the chorus of calling frogs can become quite loud. The call is unique to each species of frog and will attract a female frog from the same species. Some species have something akin to satellite males who do not call per se, but intercept females that are answering the call of another frog.
The male and female once together undergo a process called amplexus. It involves the male mounting the female and gripping her tightly, but the fertilization that happens is external. The egg and sperm meet outside the body of the female. The female will releases her eggs which the male frog will then cover with a sperm solution. The eggs will then swell up and a protective coating is formed to protect them from nature and some predators. The eggs are most typically brown or black in color, and the protective coating is clear and gelatin like.
Most breeding takes place in the late winter so that when the eggs hatch in the spring, there will be ample food available for the babies when they are born.
Once frogs mature enough to become ready for mating, they will gather at a water source such as a pond or stream for the process of breeding. Many frogs if it is possible will return to the place of their birth, which can result in annual migrations that can involve up to several thousand frogs. In Europe, a large number of frogs for years met their deaths as they tried to cross roads to breed until special fences and tunnels were built just for them.
When they arrive at their breeding grounds, male frogs will call to attract a mate and the chorus of calling frogs can become quite loud. The call is unique to each species of frog and will attract a female frog from the same species. Some species have something akin to satellite males who do not call per se, but intercept females that are answering the call of another frog.
The male and female once together undergo a process called amplexus. It involves the male mounting the female and gripping her tightly, but the fertilization that happens is external. The egg and sperm meet outside the body of the female. The female will releases her eggs which the male frog will then cover with a sperm solution. The eggs will then swell up and a protective coating is formed to protect them from nature and some predators. The eggs are most typically brown or black in color, and the protective coating is clear and gelatin like.
Most breeding takes place in the late winter so that when the eggs hatch in the spring, there will be ample food available for the babies when they are born.