Frogs, Toads, And Salamanders Quiz

1. Which of the following is not a characteristic of the reproduction and life-cycles of frogs and toads?

Frogs and toads reproduce by laying soft, shell-less eggs in water.

A female lays eggs numbering in the hundreds to thousands.

Eggs hatch to produce aquatic, fish-like tadpoles that breath through gills.

All of the above characteristics are correct.

Frog and toad eggs hatch in a matter of days or weeks to produce slender fish-like tadpoles. These tadpoles will undergo metamorphosis to a 4-legged adult stage over a period of a few weeks to possibly as long as a few years.

Explanation

Frog and toad eggs hatch in a matter of days or weeks to produce slender fish-like tadpoles. These tadpoles will undergo metamorphosis to a 4-legged adult stage over a period of a few weeks to possibly as long as a few years.

2. True or false? The bullfrog is the largest frog in the United States

True

False

The mighty bullfrog is in fact the largest frog in all of North America, reaching lengths of up to 8 ". Males can be distinguished from females in a couple of basic ways. Male bullfrogs are yellow-throated and have circular ears called tympani that are larger than their eyes. Females, on the other hand, have white throats and have ears about the same sizes as their eyes. You can spot and hear bullfrogs around Fair Lane Lake on the campus of UM-Dearborn.

Explanation

The mighty bullfrog is in fact the largest frog in all of North America, reaching lengths of up to 8 ". Males can be distinguished from females in a couple of basic ways. Male bullfrogs are yellow-throated and have circular ears called tympani that are larger than their eyes. Females, on the other hand, have white throats and have ears about the same sizes as their eyes. You can spot and hear bullfrogs around Fair Lane Lake on the campus of UM-Dearborn.

3. True or false? It is fine for people to handle amphibians.

True

False

No, in general, humans shouldn't touch amphibians. While touching them might not give people warts (that's just a myth), it does expose the animals to potentially harmful chemicals on our skin, such as soap, sunscreen, or insect repellent. The thin, semi-permeable skin of amphibians can allow these chemicals to be absorbed into their bodies and pose a serious health risk to them. Enjoy viewing them from a safe distance!

Explanation

No, in general, humans shouldn't touch amphibians. While touching them might not give people warts (that's just a myth), it does expose the animals to potentially harmful chemicals on our skin, such as soap, sunscreen, or insect repellent. The thin, semi-permeable skin of amphibians can allow these chemicals to be absorbed into their bodies and pose a serious health risk to them. Enjoy viewing them from a safe distance!

4. Like frogs and toads, salamanders are amphibians that lay shell-less eggs in water or moist areas. The salamander shown here can be found hiding in moist soil beneath rotting logs and leaf litter in the floodplain along the Rouge River running through the campus of UM-Dearborn. Who am I?

Eastern red-backed salamander

Eastern newt

Blue-spotted salamander

Eastern tiger salamander

The Eastern red-backed salamander is fairly common in a variety of forest types throughout Michigan. Somewhat resembling worms, adults are about 2.5-5" in length and have very short legs. Coloration may vary, often with adults exhibiting either a) a reddish/brownish stripe on the back from its head to the middle of the tail, or b) no stripe and uniformly dark on its back and sides.

Explanation

The Eastern red-backed salamander is fairly common in a variety of forest types throughout Michigan. Somewhat resembling worms, adults are about 2.5-5" in length and have very short legs. Coloration may vary, often with adults exhibiting either a) a reddish/brownish stripe on the back from its head to the middle of the tail, or b) no stripe and uniformly dark on its back and sides.

5. What are the features that are used to distinguish between a frog and a toad? Click all that are correct.

In general, frogs have moist, slimy skin, whereas toads have dry, bumpy skin.

Frogs are usually found living in or near water, whereas toads are often found on dry land.

Frogs lay eggs in masses or clusters, whereas toads lay eggs in chains or strands.

Frogs are amphibians, but toads are reptiles.

Frogs and toads are examples of cold-blooded vertebrates known as amphibians. They belong to the same taxonomic order called Anura. In addition to the differences noted above, frogs tend to have longer hind legs than do toads. Frogs also tend to have sleeker bodies with eyes that bulge more than do those of toads.

Explanation

Frogs and toads are examples of cold-blooded vertebrates known as amphibians. They belong to the same taxonomic order called Anura. In addition to the differences noted above, frogs tend to have longer hind legs than do toads. Frogs also tend to have sleeker bodies with eyes that bulge more than do those of toads.

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6. This amphibian says hello with a "gunk" sound. Who am I?

Bullfrog

Spring peeper

American toad

Green frog

Green frogs are frogs native to eastern North America and are commonly seen and heard in the spring and summer around Fair Lane Lake on the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. They are large frogs that can occasionally be confused with bullfrogs, which also have large eardrums (tympani) situated behind the eyes. An easy way to distinguish a green frog from a bullfrog is to look for the presence of a bumpy ridge that extends from the eardrum to the hind legs. The ridge is absent in bullfrogs, but prominent in green frogs.

Explanation

Green frogs are frogs native to eastern North America and are commonly seen and heard in the spring and summer around Fair Lane Lake on the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. They are large frogs that can occasionally be confused with bullfrogs, which also have large eardrums (tympani) situated behind the eyes. An easy way to distinguish a green frog from a bullfrog is to look for the presence of a bumpy ridge that extends from the eardrum to the hind legs. The ridge is absent in bullfrogs, but prominent in green frogs.

7. Can you name the frog or toad sound from the previous clip?

Green Frog

Wood Frog

American Toad

Spring Peeper

The Eastern American toad is one of two kinds of toads found in Michigan, with the other being Fowler's toad. The American toad makes a distinctive high-pitched trilling sound that can last up to half a minute in duration. American toads can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, farmland, prairies, and even backyard gardens.

Explanation

The Eastern American toad is one of two kinds of toads found in Michigan, with the other being Fowler's toad. The American toad makes a distinctive high-pitched trilling sound that can last up to half a minute in duration. American toads can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, farmland, prairies, and even backyard gardens.