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A makeMZ ST original 3D puzzle
The Amphibious Frog
Frogs are a diverse and largely carnivorous group of short-bodied, tailless amphibians
composing the order Anura. The oldest fossil "proto-frog" appeared in the early Triassic
of Madagascar, but molecular clock dating suggests their origins may extend further back
to the Permian, 265 million years ago. Frogs are widely distributed, ranging from the
tropics to subarctic regions, but the greatest concentration of species diversity is
found in tropical rainforests. There are approximately 4,800 recorded species, making
them among the most diverse vertebrate groups.
The body plan of an adult frog is generally characterized by a stout body, protruding
eyes, cleft tongue, limbs folded underneath and the absence of a tail. Besides living in
fresh water and on dry land, the adults of some species are adapted for living
underground or in trees. The skin of the frog is glandular, with secretions ranging from
distasteful to toxic. Warty species of frog tend to be called toads. Frog warts are
elevations in the skin where glandular toxins tend to concentrate. The distinction
between frogs and toads is based on informal naming conventions concentrating on the
warts rather than taxonomy or evolutionary history; some toads are more closely related
to frogs than other toads. Frogs' skins vary in colour from well-camouflaged dappled brown,
grey and green to vivid patterns of bright red or yellow and black to advertise
toxicity and warn off predators.
Frogs typically lay their eggs in water. The eggs hatch into aquatic larvae, called
tadpoles, that have tails and internal gills. They have highly specialized rasping mouth
parts suitable for herbivorous, omnivorous or planktivorous diets. The life cycle is
completed when they metamorphose into adults. A few species deposit eggs on land or
bypass the tadpole stage. Adult frogs generally have a carnivorous diet consisting of
small invertebrates, but omnivorous species exist and a few feed on fruit. Frogs are
extremely efficient at converting what they eat into body mass, which makes them an
important food source for predators. Frogs are a keystone group in the food web dynamics
of many of the world's ecosystems. The skin is semi-permeable, making frogs susceptible
to dehydration, so they either live in moist places or have special adaptations to deal with dry habitats.
Frogs produce a wide range of vocalizations, particularly in their
breeding season, and exhibit many different kinds of complex behaviours to attract
mates, to fend off predators and to generally survive.
Frog populations around the world have declined significantly since the 1950s. More than
one third of species are considered to be threatened with extinction and over one
hundred and twenty are believed to have become extinct since the 1980s. The number of
malformations among frogs is on the rise and an emerging fungal disease,
chytridiomycosis, has spread around the world. Conservation biologists are working to
understand the causes of these problems and to resolve them.
Frogs are valued as food by humans and also have many cultural roles in literature,
symbolism and religion.
Collect your Amphibious Frog Today!
Comes in:
1/8th inch
1/4 inch
1/2 inch
3mm
6mm
12mm
Both clean and filleted corner versions.
Comes with a Full Color Multi-Page Assembly Guide!
Copyright on this model allows you to make 50 copies then you must purchase another copy.
Commercial licenses available. Contact us!
