Frogs are amazingly diverse--ranging from the massive goliath frog,
which weighs several pounds, to the recently discovered gold frog, which
measures a mere three-eighths of an inch when fully grown--and have
inhabited the earth for more than 200 million years. Today, however,
these amphibians face more challenges than any other vertebrate group.
In this fun and informative book, herpetologists Mike Dorcas and Whit
Gibbons answer common and not-so-common questions people may have about
these fascinating animals.
Dorcas and Gibbons discuss how frogs evolved, which species currently
exist in the world, and why some have recently gone extinct. They reveal
what frogs eat and what eats them, their role in cultures across the
globe, why many populations are declining and what we can do to reverse
this dangerous trend, why there are deformed frogs, and much more. They
answer expected questions such as "What is the difference between a frog
and a toad?" and "Why do some people lick toads?" and unexpected ones
such as "Why do some frogs lay their eggs in the leaves of trees?" and
"Do frogs feel pain?"
The authors' easy-to-understand yet thorough explanations provide
insight into the amazing biology of this amphibian group. In addressing
conservation questions, Dorcas and Gibbons highlight the frightening
implications of the current worldwide amphibian crisis, which many
scientists predict will bring extinction rates experienced by frog
species to levels not seen in any vertebrate animal group in millions of
years.
Packed with facts and featuring two color galleries and 70
black-and-white photographs, Frogs: The Animal Answer Guide is sure to
address the questions on the minds of curious naturalists.
