Do Amphibians have Talent? - Hanya Awan

Much of the public’s knowledge lacks understanding of amphibians or what even they are classified as. Some may think of turtles, while others think of frogs, but society underestimates the unspoken differences and distinct capabilities that make amphibians quite special. For reptiles, it has been clarified and clear that red foot tortoises for an example and other reptile species lack a “hippocampus”, the area of the brain associated with learning, memory, and spatial navigation; they rely on an area of the brain known as the medial cortex, which is more associated with more complex decision making and cognitive abilities. When it comes to herptiles, and even vertebrates in general, amphibians are known to have an amazingly simple brain, but this statement creates controversy because it does not clarify that these animals are not capable of learning and displaying powerful intelligence. There are numerous species of anurans and other amphibians that have evolved extremely complex and innovative parental and reproductive behaviours, especially when it comes to rearing their eggs, tadpoles, or young. African bullfrogs, or Pixie frogs (Pyxicephalus adspersus), one of the largest frog species on earth, have developed a unique parental strategy in which the male guards a small, shallow pool of eggs or tadpoles after a female lays them. To avoid desiccation, when or if the pond dries up prematurely before the eggs hatch or tadpoles fully form, the male uses his powerful fore and hind limbs to create a channel around the next nearest pool or body of water. Frogs also provide additional parental protection for their young through the act of swallowing them and then regurgitating them when the danger passes or carrying their eggs and tadpoles to an accessible body of water, as in the case of dart frogs (family Dendrobatidae). In general, frogs have protruding eyes, no tail, and strong, webbed hind feet that are adapted for leaping and swimming. They also possess smooth, moist skin. Many live in the water, but others live on land, in burrows, or in trees. There are a few species that do not conform to the typical form.

Frogs with adhesive toe disks, such as the sedge frog (Hyperolius), are climbing African frogs. Flying frogs (Rhacophorus) inhabit trees and are Old World rhacophorids. Their fingers and toes are connected by a system of extended webbing that enables them to glide 12 to 15 meters (40 to 50 feet) in the air. rarely provide protection from predatory mammals, birds, or snakes. Edible anurans use camouflage to blend in with their surroundings; some change colours while others blend in. Several species have bright underbelly colours that flash when the frog moves, confusing enemies or serving as a warning of the frog's toxicity. The majority of frogs eat insects, small arthropods, or worms (see video), but some also eat other frogs, rodents, and reptiles. Furthermore, the learning capacities of amphibians have been studied on numerous occasions, both classical and operant conditioning, although they only represent basic measures of intelligence and cognitive ability. Certainly, as with many other herptiles and other animals, the fat and well-fed frog or toad that locates an area with the most suitable amount of food and other resources, such as a backyard doorstep, or streetlight will often learn to return to these specific areas even after being relocated elsewhere numerous times. Unfortunately, the intelligence and learning abilities of other amphibians are not well understood for the caudate (or salamanders and newts), caecilians, and others, perhaps since they are less conspicuous and well-known amphibians in general. However, it would not be surprising if findings were eventually made that these amphibians also possess similar cognitive abilities to their anuran counterparts. To conclude, it may either be the researchers who are not conducting enough studies to fully evaluate the complex system of an amphibian, or it is true as people say that some amphibians are simple after all. Thus, while we must be careful not to anthropomorphize these animals by ascribing human characteristics and emotions to them, many reptiles and amphibians can be quite intelligent and perceptive, often much more so than previously thought.

Works Cited

“Do Frogs Have Emotions? 7 Mysteries Solved!” Clever Pet Owners, 29 Oct. 2021, cleverpetowners.com/do-frogs-have-emotions-7-mysteries-solved/.

“ITIS - Report: Testudinidae.” Www.itis.gov, www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=173852. Accessed 16 May 2022.

Publication 420-527. www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/420/420-527/CNRE-87.pdf.

“Reptile and Amphibian Intelligence: How Smart Are They? - Madison Area Herpetological Society.” Www.madisonherps.org, www.madisonherps.org/kickstart/en/wisconsin-reptile-resources/education-articles/107-reptile-and-amphibian-intelligence-how-smart-are-they#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20among%20the%20amphibians. Accessed 16 May 2022.

“Reptile and Amphibian Intelligence: How Smart Are They? - Madison Area Herpetological Society.” Www.madisonherps.org, www.madisonherps.org/kickstart/en/wisconsin-reptile-resources/education-articles/107-reptile-and-amphibian-intelligence-how-smart-are-they#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20among%20the%20amphibians.

Zug, George R. “Frog | Definition, Species, Habitat, Classification, & Facts.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 6 Feb. 2019, www.britannica.com/animal/frog.