The Vanishing Frog

Anatomy of a Frog
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FROG MOUTH

The frog catches its food — mainly flies or other insects, and small animals like spiders, earthworms and minnows — with its long, sticky tongue. Mucus glands in the mouth produce the sticky substance that coats the tongue, which is attached near the back of the jaw. At rest, the tongue is folded on the base of the mouth with the tip pointing back toward the esophagus. When prey is spotted, the frog flips its tongue out very rapidly, hitting its prey with amazing accuracy.

Frogs swallow their prey whole, though they do have teeth. A ridge of small, cone-shaped teeth around the upper edge of the jaw, called maxillary teeth, helps some frogs grip large, struggling prey. Frogs also have a pair of vomerine teeth on the roof of their mouth; pointed toward the throat, they help keep the struggling prey from escaping. Most frog meals, however, are so small that the teeth are not even used.

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Anatomy of a Frog

	FROG EYES The frog's eyes help it catch insects, avoid predators and swallow.		FROG EARS The frog hears sound through its ear drums ... and its lungs!		FROG MOUTH The frog has a sticky tongue for catching insects. It even has teeth!
	FROG LEGS Jumping is as important to some as clinging and burrowing is to others.		FROG SKIN Skin allows for the transfer of moisture and protection from predators.		THE VANISHING FROG Go back to The Vanishing Frog main page for more frog facts and frog fun.