LUNCH IN A SPLIT SECOND
There’s no way the tiny gnat flitting around in the grass saw it
coming. How could it? A frog’s tongue can snatch an insect in
less than 0.07 seconds—about three times faster than a human
eye can blink. During capture, the speed of its tongue can reach
12 times the acceleration of gravity—about four times as great
as the acceleration during a rocket launch. And then there’s
the stickiness factor: A frog’s sticky tongue is able to lift nearly
twice the amphibian’s own weight. Small frogs eat gnats andmosquitoes while larger species prefer small snakes, mice, and
baby turtles—as long as they’re fresh: Researchers have found
most frogs would rather starve than eat a dead insect or other
animal. The efficiency of frogs’ tongues means they use their
powerful hind legs mostly for leaping. Although frogs with short
legs can hop only limited distances, tree frogs can jump up to
50 times their body length. If we had the same ability, a 6-foot
human could leap 300 feet in a single bound.ALL-SEEING
EYES
Frogs’ bulging eyes give them a panoramic,
almost 360-degree view. When they’re in the
water they’ll use their eyes like a periscope
and keep their body hidden under the surface.
Frog eyes come in an astonishing range of
colors. Researchers have discovered that the
coloration is, in part, a protective measure:
Potential predators are often distracted just
long enough for the frog to leap to safety.