How Garden Frogs Are Suited to Their Habitat

Garden frogs are wonderful amphibians that live in and around ponds, streams and lakes. The best way to appreciate their presence is to know how they have adapted to life around the garden pond.

Garden Frog Habitat

Garden Frogs are Amphibians

An amphibian is a cold-blooded vertebrate that can live in the water as well as on land. It's listed under the class Amphibia and has lungs that allow it to take in air. While young, amphibians can even breathe under water using special gills.

Types of Garden Frogs

Leopard frogs, bullfrogs, tree frogs and even other amphibians such as newts and salamanders are common inhabitants in many people's ponds. Toads also live alongside of frogs, as they, too, require the water in order to reproduce.

Why Frogs Use Garden Ponds

Many ponds are considered a safe haven for frogs because they contain lots of rocks and plants for tadpoles and young frogs to hide in. Adult frogs know this and have adapted to life around the garden pond because of the safety for them and their young that it offers.

Garden Flowers

Often, people landscape their gardens with plants, creating an even better place for frogs to adapt. The flowers offer shelter and a ready food supply for hungry young and breeding adults.

Lack of Predators

Garden ponds lack the diversity of predators that a wild pond claims. People often chase away raccoons, rats, and birds that prey on frogs. When snakes appear, many individuals remove them before they can eat all of their frogs. In essence, a chemical-free garden pond is the perfect habitat for frogs. They have long been adapted for life around people and in turn, people get to enjoy their joyful chorus of chirps, squeaks and grunts.

References

• All About Frogs
• Wildlife Gardener