Frogs are very common amphibians. However, many of us often confuse it with reptiles. They are not classified as reptiles though, because they have skin that is porous. However, they like to live in areas where water is adequate. Further, frogs also go through a process of metamorphosis. But in this article, we will try and find the common question: are frogs nocturnal?
Yes, frogs are nocturnal creatures. It has been found that most of the frogs are active during the night. This is because of some obvious reasons. The weather is moist and humid in most areas where frogs inhabit. The moist weather helps them to keep their skin moist. Hence, many of them do not hibernate or go to their hiding places during the night.
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Why do they need their skin to be moist?
Like most amphibians, frogs also have the capacity to breathe through their skin. However, to make this possible it is important that their skin is moist. This is perhaps one of the main reasons why many frogs are active during the night.
That is also one of the main reasons why frogs tend to hang around moist places like a wet and humid log that is rotting. They also love to stay put in underground areas that are wet and moist apart from wet and muddy places.
Though they are considered to be nocturnal creatures, you can find them staying still with hardly any movement worth the name. Sitting still helps them conserve energy and also helps them to catch their prey.
Insects are the most common
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Some more interesting information about frogs
Most frogs come with smooth skin and the skin is in different colors. They also have dark stripes around their eyes with regular spots or even botches as they are referred to. They mostly thrive on insects, worms, snails, and slugs. The young ones feed on algae but once they grow up they also turn carnivorous.
One of the reasons frogs are considered to be nocturnal is because they develop this habit even when they are a newborn. The tadpoles have to move around on the lookout for algae in the water or around it. They perhaps find the cool night more suited for their
Ability to see in the dark
There is one more reason why frogs are considered nocturnal. Though in general frogs have good eyesight, they are able to see much better in the dark. Hence, whether it is catching prey, insects, or whether it is staying away from possible predators, their powerful eyes could help a lot. There are some species like the red-eyed tree frog that is endowed with one of the best eye sights. It prefers to catch by the day and many of them are seen perched on the trees during day time to rest and also stay away from possible predators.
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It makes movement on land so easy
Frogs are highly vulnerable creatures because they have many potential enemies and predators. Snakes, birds and other such reptiles and avian creatures will relish a full-grown frog quite a bit. Eagles for example can identify frogs from a height and therefore frogs have no other option but to look for ways and means to stay away from them.
Night offers them a better chance of moving around unnoticed. Further, birds are not to be seen during nights, except for owls and a few other nocturnal birds. Hence, according to experts this also could be one of the main reasons why many frogs have adapted themselves to being nocturnal creatures. But at the same time, they love to move around in the land and if the area is safe they would not mind being active even during the day.
Conclusion
Frogs are fascinating and interesting creatures and they have adapted to changing ways of life over the past many million years. One such adaptation is their ability to stay active during the night and learn to become a nocturnal creature.