Frog Anatomy

Characteristics of All
Amphibians

They are ectothermic vertebrates.
Control body heat by using the environment
Sometimes called cold blooded

They have three-chambered hearts.

They lack claws on their toes.

Characteristics of All
Amphibians
Their skin is usually smooth and lacks
scales, hair, and feathers.
They are dependent upon moisture and
subject to dessication ; their skin must
remain moist to aid in breathing.

Frogs and Toads
FROG TOAD



smooth, moist skin rough, drier skin
no warts on body have warts on body
narrower body and waist broader, flatter body
live near or in water live on land, breed in water only
longer hind legs for
hopping
webbed hind feet for
swimming
shorter hind legs, walks rather than
hop
eggs are in massive lump
of cloudy jelly
eggs are long and stringy, wrapped
around water plants
External Anatomy
Mouth
Vomarine and Maxillary Teeth: Used
for holding prey
Internal Nares (nostrils) breathing
Eustachian Tubes: equalize
pressure in inner ear
Glottis : Tube leading to the lungs
Esophagus: Tube leading to the
stomach
Tongue: Front attached, aids in
grabbing prey
Tympanic Membrane: eardrum, located behind eyes
Nictitating Membrane: clear eyelid, protects the eye
Internal Structures
Excretory and
Reproductive Systems
The urinary bladder is attached to the ventral wall of the cloaca.
Nervous system
Fairly good eyesight
Protected by nictitating membrane
Tympanic membrane
Hearing
Delicate sense of touch
Tongue and mouth have
taste buds
Sense of smell varies with
species
Reproduction
External fertilization
Usually in water
Larvae (tadpoles) hatch from eggs
Larval stage from a few weeks to two
years depending on species
Skeletal/Muscular
Skeleton of bone
Most prominent feature:
Very long hind legs for jumping and swimming
Circulatory System
Three chambered heart
Double Loop circulation
to lungs to get oxygen
To body to deliver oxygen
Mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated
blood

PERCH DISSECTION
LAB ID PICTURES

ANTERIOR DORSAL FIN
CAUDAL FIN
ANAL FIN

GILL ARCH
INTESTINE

LATERAL LINE
HEART
ANUS

LATERAL PELVIC FIN
LIVER

PECTORAL FIN

PELVIC FIN VENTRAL VIEW
POSTERIOR DORSAL FIN
SPLEEN
STOMACH
SWIM BLADDER
UROGENITAL OPENING