Preventative Care@3x

National Frog Month

Apr 11, 2014 | Pet Features

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The month of April is full of great things; the smell of spring blooms, candy treats from the Easter Bunny, and National Frog Month. Yep, April 26th marks the 6th annual Save the Frogs Day!

Frogs are interesting creatures…by classification, they are amphibians that have been around an estimated 360+ million years. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and have some fascinating characteristics.

Here are a few fun facts:

– There are more than 5,000 species of frogs and toads to be exact!

– Some species are incredibly colorful, while some have the protective coloring to allow them to blend in with their surroundings.

– The smallest frog known is about 10mm long (about the width of your pinky fingernail), up to about a foot in length and 6+ pounds!

– While tadpoles have gills (like a fish), most adult frogs have lungs like you and me.

– Their skin is incredible–it allows them to absorb both water and oxygen right through it!

– Most species of frogs live an average of 6-7 years.

And how about this…ever wondered about the jumping frog? Rumor has it that a frog species found down under (Australia) can jump a distance equivalent to more than 50 times it’s body length. So to get some perspective, that means a 6′ tall human could jump 300 feet? That’s 100 yards, the equivalent of jumping end-zone to end-zone of a football field…incredible!

Frogs can make great pets, but you should definitely research and learn about the different species of frogs before making a decision. And, if you’d like to get involved on April 26th for annual Save the Frogs Day, visit www.savethefrogs.com/day to learn more.

Disclaimer: Not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. If you think your pet has a medical emergency, call or visit your veterinarian or your local veterinary emergency hospital immediately.