How Do Frogs Mate?

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Mating Migration

1. Each mating season, frogs return to their place of birth to mate and begin the entire process over again. Many frogs come to similar locations, but they never step on each other's toes. Each has his own spot. The male frogs are the first to arrive. They claim their territory by croaking constantly in a loud voice. The females follow several days later to find a mate.

Finding a Mate

1. Female frogs can usually pick any male frog they like. In fact, some say male frogs will mate with any frog or moving creature that is too large to eat. Male frogs attract females by croaking and puffing out their throats. Using their vocal cords, they create a unique mating call. If a female responds and sits still near him, the male will climb on top of her to mate. This typically happens in the water.

Amplexus

1. Amplexus is the position frogs take while they mate. This can actually last for several days. The male frog sits on top of the female's back and grasps behind her front legs around her middle section. Most breeds sit in the water to assist in the fertilization process, but there are a few breeds that assume the amplexus position on land.

Fertilization

1. During amplexus, the female releases large masses of eggs. These are called spawn. The male fertilizes these eggs with a milky, liquid substance. The eggs form together with a gel coating that thickens in the water. This coating helps protect the newly fertilized eggs.

Eggs

1. Most of the frog eggs will never turn into frogs. In fact, the reason frogs lay so many eggs during mating season is because so many die. After an average of 15 days, the eggs that are still alive hatch. Eventually, the eggs turn into tadpoles, and later, frogs. When frogs reach about 12 weeks old, they too will return to their birth waters and begin the mating process.

Resources

• All About Frogs