No matter which way you cut it the legs of frogs are strong and powerful no matter the function. Whether it is swimming, jumping, burrowing, running or hoping the hind legs provide the oomph to the frog’s main source of locomotion. Take swimming for example. The legs of swimmers are long and the foot webbing is pronounced. Swimmers use their limbs in a forward motion and the legs provide the propulsion. Jumpers also have long legs but not as much webbing as the swimmers. In fact, the jump comes from pulling the frog’s weight to the arms as the legs unfold into the air and away from the pelvic girdle. Tree frogs also have long legs, but instead of jumping or swimming they walk among the trunks and leaves. So, they don’t need muscle—they need suction. They have adapted special padding on the ends of each digit that with the help of glue-like mucus can stick to almost any surface. The mucus comes from the tubular cells that are part of the toe padding, which act like suction cups. Depending on the species, some tree frogs move from tree to tree, not like Tarzan but, by gliding. They also got pronounced webbing, like the swimmers do, but they spread out their toes and pancake their bodies so the webbing and the body can be used as a parachute. Burrowers have these spade-like feet they use to shovel their way into the ground. The legs are shorter so they don’t lose leverage and power when pushing dirt or sand aside. And the feet are protected, because of this Keratin, a hard material, found within the spades. There are also the runners or hoppers. These are toads, plus some other frog species, and their legs are short too.
Works Cited:
Behler, J. L., & Behler, D. A. (2005). Frogs: A chorus of colors. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
Beltz, E. (2005). Frogs: inside their remarkable world. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books Ltd.
Mongabay.com
Rhett A. Butler - San Francisco, CA.
1999-2008.
Notice the suction pads on the tips of this poison arrow frogs' fingers and toes.
