Frog Breeding

Frogs are amphibians as they live both on land and in water. Frog breeding is possible once the frog has attained maturity. It revisits the place of its birth during the mating season. They migrate in large numbers to sources of water like ponds and streams. Once they have reached the place, they tend to attract the female frogs by making peculiar noises.

Different species of frogs make different noises. These noises are received by the female frogs of that species only. The process of fertilization in frogs is external. The eggs are released by the female frogs. Once the eggs are released, the male frogs fertilize the eggs with a solution of sperm released from its body. The consequence of this process is the swelling of these eggs. The eggs have an outer protective covering as well. This covering appears like a gelatin covering over the egg. These eggs are usually brown or black in color.

The frog breeding season is between the months of February to April. During the mating season, the male frog grabs the female and embraces it for several hours.

Common frogs breed in the shallow and still water, such as in ponds. The breeding process starts from March. Male frogs compete for females. The mating is accompanied with the croaking sound.

The male who wins the female grasps it under the forelegs. This process is known as amplexus. The males climb onto the females to fertilize their eggs. During the mating season, the male frogs look different as they have swelling and nuptial pads on their thumbs. Males are generally smaller than females.

At one time, the female frog can lay about one thousand to two thousand eggs. These eggs float in large clusters. They are known as frog spawn. These eggs are laid in damp places. They usually lay eggs during warm weather.

The period of frog breeding in the temperate region is mostly during late autumn or early spring. The advantage of mating during this period is that it helps to get them sufficient quantity of food which is very essential for their proper growth.

Frogs don’t take proper care of their offspring’s. Some exceptions to this fact are the poisonous dart frog which protects its eggs. If the egg becomes dry, then the frog urinates on it, to maintain the temperature required to hatch the eggs.

Tips that can be used for successful frog breeding are enlisted below:

• For frog breeding, you cannot compel them to do so. You can only create suitable conditions for them to breed. It is very difficult to identify the female and male frogs. So closely examine them. Try to identify them or purchase both sexes of frogs.
• Gather information about the frogs in advance such as the breeding season and its food habits. You can consult a vet or the shopkeeper about the mating seasons and essentials required for the frog. They usually breed in waters.
• Frogs are very choosy when it comes to breeding. Frog breeding can take place only when there is appropriate temperature and water. The breeding habits also vary according to its species. The breeding time and eggs also varies.
• As soon as the eggs are laid, the frogs separate from their eggs. Otherwise, they would eat them. The time taken for the eggs to hatch varies according to the species of the frog. It may either take six days to twenty one days to hatch. It is also essential to provide them with fresh supply of water every time.
• While breeding a frog, one has to keep in mind that frogs don’t forcefully breed. They have to be provided with suitable conditions. These conditions vary according to the species of the frog.