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Why do turtles need shells? Why do turtles move so slowly? Why do frogs hop? Why are frogs green? Why are colorful frogs poisonous? Why do frogs inflate their throats? What some of the biggest threats are to amphibians and reptiles? We head out to the pond to get answers from some herpetologists! We also get a preview of the new Earth Rangers podcast!

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why do turtles need shells? why do frogs hop?

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‎But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids: Why Do Turtles Need Shells? Why Do Frogs Hop? on Apple Podcasts

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Why do turtles need shells? Why do turtles move so slowly? Why do frogs hop? Why are frogs green? Why are colorful frogs poisonous? Why do frogs inflate their throats? What some of the biggest threats are to amphibians and reptiles? We head out to the pond to get answers from some herpetologists!

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The Sea Turtle Hatch! | Kratts Creatures | PBS LearningMedia

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Watch as the Kratt brothers demonstrate the journey sea turtles go through when they are first born! Viewers learn that sea turtle eggs are deep within the sand and, that when baby sea turtles are born, they have to break out of their shells and dig their way out of the sand.

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The Snapping Turtle's Defense | Kratts Creatures | PBS LearningMedia

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Alongside the Kratt brothers, check out the snapping turtle and learn about their unique characteristics! Viewers learn that snapping turtles hardly ever leave the water, with the exception of egg-laying. They also learn that the vicious snap of the turtle serves as a defense mechanism from predators because they cannot hide in their shells like other species of turtles.

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Learn to identify sea turtles including different species loggerhead and leatherneck. These reptiles are endangered.

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The secret life of baby green sea turtles.

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Researchers test snapping turtles living in the Bronx River to learn about pollution

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Researchers test snapping turtles living in the Bronx River to learn about pollution

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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Scientists find rare alligator snapping turtle by mistake

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Scientists find rare alligator snapping turtle by mistake

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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NatGeoKids: 10 Totally Awesome Facts About Turtles

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NatGeoKids: 10 Totally Awesome Facts About Turtles

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Find amazing facts about animals, science, history and geography, along with fun competitions, games and more. Visit National Geographic Kids today!

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These turtles are found nesting along the coastline of more than 80 countries, with the largest nesting populations found in Costa Rica and Australia.

Green sea turtles spend most of their lives underwater, where they can rest for up to five hours at a time before coming up for air. When active, they typically alternate between being underwater for a few minutes and coming up to the surface to breathe air for a few seconds. Green sea turtles are also known to sunbathe on land.

Unlike most other sea turtles, adult green sea turtles eat a primarily plant-based diet consisting of seaweed and sea grass. Scientists believe these green foods give the sea turtle's fat its green color. The shell of the green sea turtle is usually shades of a brown or olive color.

Similar to other sea turtles, green sea turtles migrate long distances between their feeding grounds and their nesting sites, with recorded distances longer than 1,615 miles (2,600 kilometers). They have strong paddlelike flippers that help propel them through the water.

Female green sea turtles leave the water in order to lay eggs on the beach and will choose the same nesting spot as where they were born. A female will dig out a nest with her flippers and lay a clutch of about 115 eggs. Then she'll cover the eggs with sand and return to the sea. After about two months, the babies will use a special "egg tooth" to break their shells and hatch from their eggs.

The first few years of a green sea turtle's life are spent floating at sea, where they feed on plankton. As they grow older, the turtles move to shallow waters along the coast, such as bays and lagoons, where they find sea grass to eat.

Adult green sea turtles face many threats, primarily from humans, including injuries from boat propellers, being caught in fishing nets, pollution, and poaching. Newly hatched sea turtles are also at risk of being hunted by animals such as birds, crabs, and raccoons as they move from their nests out to the sea.

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Green sea turtles are the world's largest species of hard-shelled sea turtle. While most individuals weigh about 300 to 400 pounds (136 to 181 kilograms), some can be as heavy as 440 pounds (204 kilograms). These turtles are found nesting along the coastline of more than 80 countries, with the largest nesting populations found in Costa Rica and Australia.

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Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large turtle that inhabits in fresh water. It is an aggressive animal on land but not in water. Its jaws are very strong and shaped like a beak. Its head and neck are very flexible and moves like a snake.

The adult snapping turtles can grow as long as 48.7 centimeters in length and weigh around 9.9 to 35.3 pounds. Female turtles are smaller than the males. The heaviest snapping turtle had a weight of 75 pounds.

Common snapping turtles have a maximum lifespan of more than 100 years.

Snapping turtles mature at the age of 15 to 20 years. The peak mating season of these turtles occur between June and July.

The clutch size of snapping turtles ranges from 25 to 80 eggs. The eggs are hatched between 9 and 18 weeks.

It is widely distributed from Canada, Rockies and toward the east in Florida. Typically, the preferred habitat of snapping turtles is the muddy bottom of shallow streams. However, few of these turtles also inhabit estuaries i.e. saline coastal waters.

Snapping turtles are omnivores. They like to feed on snakes, birds, frogs, small mammals, fish and other invertebrates.

In water, snapping turtles are docile creatures and do not attack humans at all. However if caught, they can be dangerous and can inflict injury due to their aggressive nature. Its claws are sharp and happily they are used only for digging. This turtle is used as food in turtle soup.

The eggs of snapping turtles are eaten by raccoons, skunks, crows and foxes. Some of the predators that prey on hatchlings of snapping turtles are black bears, great blue herons, coyotes, owls, bullfrogs, snakes, alligator snapping turtles and hawks.

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Let's find out and explore about common snapping turtle in Common Snapping Turtle Facts!

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Chelydra serpentina

What do they look like?

Like all turtles, snapping turtles have a shell that covers their back, also called a carapace. In snapping turtles the carapace is normally between 8 and 18 1/2 inches long. The shell color ranges from dark brown to tan and can even be black. As a snapping turtle grows, the shell often becomes covered with mud and algae. The tail has sharp ridges running along its length, and is nearly as long as the shell. Their necks, legs, and tails have a yellowish color and the head is dark. A snapping turtle's mouth is shaped like a strong, bony beak with no teeth. Their skin is rough with characteristic bumps, called tubercles, on their necks and legs. The feet are webbed and have strong claws.

Turtles have another hard plate that covers the stomach; this is called a plastron. A snapping turtle's plastron is small and leaves much of their body exposed. This means that they cannot pull their head and legs into their shell for protection against predators, as most other turtles can. Snapping turtles make up for this lack of body armor with an aggressive temperament.

Where do they live?

Snapping turtles are native to the Nearctic region. Their range stretches from Southern Alberta and east to Nova Scotia in Canada and extends south to the Gulf of Mexico and into central Texas.

What kind of habitat do they need?

Snapping turtles live only in fresh or brackish water. They prefer water with muddy bottoms and lots of vegetation so that they can hide more easily. Snapping turtles spend almost all their time in water, but do go on land to lay their eggs in sandy soil.

How long do they live?

In the wild snapping turtles are estimated to live up to 30 years. Snapping turtles are most vulnerable as hatchlings. Once they reach a certain size there are few natural predators of snapping turtles, though they are often hit by cars when searching for new ponds or nesting sites. In captivity they can live up to 47 years.

How do they behave?

Snapping turtles are solitary, which means that they live alone. Even though many turtles may be found in a small area, their social interactions are limited to aggression between individuals, usually males. The number of turtles found living in the same area depends on the amount of available food. Snapping turtles can be very vicious when removed from the water, but they become docile when placed back into the water. Snapping turtles like to bury themselves in mud with only their nostrils and eyes exposed. This burying is used to surprize prey. Snapping turtles have a small growth on the end of their tongues that looks like a wriggling worm. To capture fish, the snapping turtle opens its mouth to make the "worm" visible. When a fish comes to the worm, the snapping turtle grabs it with its strong jaws.

How do they communicate with each other?

Snapping turtles communicate to mates with leg movements while the turtles face each other. Snapping turtles also use their sense of smell, vision, and touch to detect prey. They may sense vibrations in the water.

What do they eat?

Snapping turtles will eat nearly anything that they can get their jaws around. They feed on dead animals, insects, fish, birds, small mammals, amphibians, and a surprisingly large amount of aquatic plants. Snapping turtles kill other turtles by biting off their heads. This behavior might be to protect their territory from other turtles or it may be a very inefficient feeding behavior.

What eats them and how do they avoid being eaten?

The eggs and hatchlings of snapping turtles may be eaten by other large turtles, great blue herons, crows, raccoons, skunks, foxes, bullfrogs, water snakes, and large predatory fish, such as largemouth bass. However, once snapping turtles become larger, there are few animals that prey on them. Snapping turtles are highly aggressive and will fight back ferociously.

Do they cause problems?

Snapping turtles eat the young of some fish that humans like to catch, but snapping turtles do not eat enough to have much of an impact on the fish populations. Snapping turtles are known to kill young and adult ducks and geese, but once again the effects are small.

How do they interact with us?

Snapping turtles are used by many people in turtle stews and soups. Snapping turtle shells were used in many ceremonies among Native Americans. The shells were dried and mounted on handles with corn kernels inside for use as rattles.

Are they endangered?

Snapping turtle populations are not close to extinction or even threatened. The destruction of the ponds they live in could pose a danger to snapping turtle populations at a later time. Some individuals are killed for food, which does impact the population, but in a very minor way.

Contributors

Adam T. Bosch (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

References

Carr, A. 1952. Handbook of Turtles. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London.

Conant, R. and Collins, J.T. 1991. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.

Niering, W.A. The Audobon Society Nature Guides, Wetlands. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. New York.

Porter, K. R. 1972. Herpetology. W.B. Saunders Company, Philidelphia.

Whitfield, Dr. P. editor. 1984. Macmillan Illustrated Animal Encyclopedia. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York.

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BioKIDS - Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species, Chelydra serpentina, Common Snapping Turtle: INFORMATION

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BioKIDS - Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species

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Common Name:

Alligator snapping turtles

Scientific Name:

Macrochelys temminckii

Average Life Span In The Wild:

20 to 70 years

Size relative to a 6-ft man:

The prehistoric-looking alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America and among the largest in the world. With its spiked shell, beaklike jaws, and thick, scaled tail, this species is often referred to as the "dinosaur of the turtle world."

Size and Weight

Found almost exclusively in the rivers, canals, and lakes of the southeastern United States, alligator snappers can live to be 50 to 100 years old. Males average 26 inches in shell length and weigh about 175 pounds, although they have been known to exceed 220 pounds. The much smaller females top out at around 50 pounds.

Behavior

Alligator snappers spend most of their lives in water, the exception being when females trudge about 160 feet inland to nest. They can stay submerged for 40 to 50 minutes before surfacing for air.

The alligator snapper employs a unique natural lure in its hunting technique. Its tongue sports a bright-red, worm-shaped piece of flesh that, when displayed by a motionless turtle on a river bottom, draws curious fish or frogs close enough to be snatched.

Conservation

Adult snappers have no natural predators other than humans, who capture them for their meat and shells, and to sell in the exotic animal trade. A severe reduction in population due to unregulated harvesting and habitat loss has led states to protect them throughout most of their range, and they are listed as a threatened species.

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Alligator Snapping Turtle | National Geographic

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Learn more about this prehistoric-looking creature often called the "dinosaur of the turtle world."

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What is a reptile and how to they live? Learn about these cold blooded animals including snakes, lizards, and alligators.

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Explore National Geographic. A world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.

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Ideas and Insight From National Geographic

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NatGeoKids: Amazing Animals African Lion

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NatGeoKids: Amazing Animals African Lion

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In a pride of lions, females are more important than males

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In a pride of lions, females are more important than males

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Newsela | In real life, Simba’s mom would be running the pride

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Unlike in “The Lion King” movie, females have a much more significant role in the pride than males.

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Mother lion adopts leopard cub in Africa

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Mother lion adopts leopard cub in Africa

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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DK Find Out! | Fun Facts for Kids on Animals, Earth, History and more!

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Visit DK Find Out! to learn about dinosaurs, space, animals, nature & more. Fun learning activities for kids with videos, quizzes & galleries at DKFindOut.com

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NatGeoKids: 10 roarsome facts about lions

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NatGeoKids: 10 roarsome facts about lions

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Get ready to roar with our 10 cool lion facts!

Lion facts

1. Lions usually live in groups of 10 or 15 animals called prides.

2. An adult male's roar can be heard up to 8km away.

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3. A female lion needs 5kg of meat a day. A male needs 7kg or more a day.

4. The name for a baby lion is a cub, whelp or lionet.

5. Lions go on the hunt for food mostly from dusk till dawn. Female lions do 85-90% of the prides hunting, whilst the male lions patrol the territory and protect the pride.

Did you know we have a FREE downloadable Lion primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

6. In the wild, lions live for an average of 12 years and up to 16 years. They live up to 25 years in captivity.

7. Often known as the 'king of the jungle', most lions actually live in the savannah or grasslands. Just one population of wild forest-dwelling lions remains, in Gir Forest National Park, India.

8. Female lions reach two-thirds of their adult size by the time they are two years old.

9. Lions run at a speed of up to 81kmph.

10. Lions hunt large animals such as zebra and wildebeest.

WORDS: ELLEN MORGAN.
PICTURES: GETTY IMAGES UK

What did you make of our lion facts? Roarsome, right? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

Images ⓒ Getty Images: Lion profile, (103361189)

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10 roarsome lion facts! | National Geographic Kids

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Here at National Geographic Kids we love fierce felines! Check out our 10 roarsome lion facts and learn all about these big cats...

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Lion prides can be as small as 3 or as big as 40 animals. In a pride, lions hunt prey, raise cubs, and defend their territory together. In prides the females do most of the hunting and cub rearing. Usually all the lionesses in the pride are related-mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and sisters.

Many of the females in the pride give birth at about the same time. A cub may nurse from other females as well as its mother. Each pride generally will have no more than two adult males.

While the females usually live with the pride for life, the males often stay for only two to four years. After that they go off on their own or are evicted by other males who take over the pride. When a new male becomes part of the pride it is not unusual for him to kill all the cubs, ensuring that all future cubs will have his genes. The main job of males in the pride is defending the pride's territory. A male's loud roar, usually heard after sunset, can carry for as far as five miles (eight kilometers). The roar warns off intruders and helps round up stray members of the pride.

Hunting generally is done in the dark by the lionesses. They often hunt in groups of two or three, using teamwork to stalk, surround, and kill their prey. Lionesses aren't the most successful of hunters, because they usually score only one kill out of several tries. After the kill the males usually eat first, lionesses next-and the cubs get what's left. Males and females fiercely defend against any outside lions that attempt to join their pride.

Because of their size, strength, and predatory skills, lions are considered one of the "big cats." Tigers, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars, and cougars are also part of this grouping.

Take the big cat quiz to see how much you know about these fierce felines. Then, just for fun, see which wild cat you're most like with our personality quiz.

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For all of their roaring, growling, and ferociousness, lions are family animals and truly social in their own communities. They usually live in groups of 15 or more animals called prides. Prides can be as small as 3 or as big as 40 animals.

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A female tiger gives birth to a litter of three or four cubs, who she will care for until they are a year-and-a-half old. These cubs quadruple in size during their first month!

The powerful predator generally hunts alone, able to bring down prey such as deer and antelope. Tigers wait until dark to hunt. The tiger sprints to an unsuspecting animal, usually pulling it off its feet with its teeth and claws. If the prey animal is large, the tiger bites its throat to kill it; smaller prey is usually killed when the tiger breaks its neck. Tigers have been known to eat up to 80 pounds of meat in one night, but more often they consume about 12 pounds during a meal. It may take days for a tiger to finish eating its kill. The cat eats until it's full, and then covers the carcass with leaves and dirt. The tiger comes back to feed some more.

Tigers live far apart from each other. A tiger knows if it is in another tiger's territory based on the trees around him. Each tiger marks the trees in its area with urine and special scratches.

Unlike most members of the cat family, tigers seem to enjoy water and swim well.

Some tigers live where it gets very cold-in India and parts of southeast Asia. The whole species is endangered throughout its range.

Tigers have been overhunted for their fur as well as for other body parts that many people use in traditional medicines. Tigers' habitat has also dwindled seriously as humans have developed land for uses such as farming and logging. However, in the Siberian region of Russia, there's hope that these big cats are making a comeback.

Because of their size, strength, and predatory skills, tigers are considered one of the "big cats." Lions, cheetahs, jaguars, and cougars are also part of this grouping.

Tiger stripes are special to each individual, and their tails help them to keep their balance. The big cats share all but 4.4% of their DNA with domestic cats.

Take the big cat quiz to see how much you know about these fierce felines. Then, just for fun, see which wild cat you're most like with our personality quiz.

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Easily recognized by its coat of reddish-orange with dark stripes, the tiger is the largest wild cat in the world. The big cat's tail is three feet long. On average the big cat weighs 450 pounds, about the same as eight ten-year-old kids.

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We’ve been digging and digging, but we can’t find that page anywhere in our burrows.

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A slideshow of the tigers of Bandhavgarh. Its a homage really. I support the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) with free use of some of my images and I produced this slideshow for one of their fundraising events.

Music: Pedra Branca 06 by Pedra Branca (http://www.pedrabranca.mus.br/)

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Common Name:

Bengal Tiger

Scientific Name:

Panthera tigris tigris

Average Life Span In The Wild:

8 to 10 years

Size:

Head and body: 5 to 6 feet; tail: 2 to 3 feet

Weight:

240 to 500 pounds

Size relative to a 6-ft man:

Tigers are the largest members of the cat family and are renowned for their power and strength.

Tiger Populations

There were eight tiger subspecies at one time, but three became extinct during the 20th century. Over the last 100 years, hunting and forest destruction have reduced tiger populations from hundreds of thousands of animals to perhaps fewer than 2,500. Tigers are hunted as trophies, and also for body parts that are used in traditional Chinese medicine. All five remaining tiger subspecies are at-risk, and many protection programs are in place.

Bengal tigers live in India and are sometimes called Indian tigers. They are the most common tiger and number about half of all wild tigers. Over many centuries they have become an important part of Indian tradition and lore. (To learn more, watch this video about what's driving tigers to extinction.)

Behavior

Tigers live alone and aggressively scent-mark large territories to keep their rivals away. They are powerful nocturnal hunters that travel many miles to find buffalo, deer, wild pigs, and other large mammals. Tigers use their distinctive coats as camouflage (no two have exactly the same stripes). They lie in wait and creep close enough to attack their victims with a quick spring and a fatal pounce. A hungry tiger can eat as much as 60 pounds in one night, though they usually eat less.

Despite their fearsome reputation, most tigers avoid humans; however, a few do become dangerous maneaters. These animals are often sick and unable to hunt normally, or live in an area where their traditional prey has vanished.

Females give birth to litters of two to six cubs, which they raise with little or no help from the male. Cubs cannot hunt until they are 18 months old and remain with their mothers for two to three years, when they disperse to find their own territory.

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Find out how far a tiger's roar travels. And learn how much the world's biggest cat can eat at a sitting.

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With Tiger King shedding light on how big cats can be forced into cruel, unnatural living situations when held in captivity, you can see why it's more important than ever to protect all big cats in the wild and to preserve and restore habitat for these amazing creatures. Defenders of Wildlife protects big cats in North America, like Florida panthers and jaguars, and we tirelessly advocate for human-wildlife coexistence, which should never include making wild animals pets. You can help support our efforts too.

The largest of the big cats, tigers are truly impressive animals with their black-striped orange fur and white bellies. A tiger's stripe pattern is like a fingerprint and can be used to identify individuals.

The tiger is the largest member of the felid (cat) family. Tiger taxonomy was revised in 2017 based on new genetic analysis into two subspecies: Panthera tigris tigris, consisting of tiger populations in continental Asia, and Panthera tigris sondaica, including populations in the Sunda Islands.

Since tigers are not native to North America, Defenders does not work on their conservation directly. Defenders works to ensure that tigers remain protected under the Endangered Species Act, and under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) highlighting their link to jaguar trade. Many of the threats facing Florida panthers and jaguars in North America, such as habitat loss, road kills and poaching, are also experienced by tigers. Because of this, we work closely with tiger conservationists to better enable human-wildlife coexistence by exchanging innovative and effective tools and technology for protecting livestock and people.

Tigers face many threats. Their greatest threat is large scale loss of habitat and prey due to human encroachment and habitat degradation for agriculture. Climate change is also causing ocean levels to rise, reducing coastal habitat in areas like India's Sunderban islands and forcing tigers to move into areas more heavily populated by people. In some parts of their range, tigers are poached because their pelts are valuable in the black market trade in Asia and their other body parts are used in traditional Asian medicine. Tigers are also killed or removed from the wild in efforts to protect livestock and human communities. Finally, as tigers recover in some regions, they come into contact more often with people, pets and livestock, which can increase human-wildlife conflicts if tigers and people are not proactively managed.

You can help tigers through being a conscious shopping. Palm oil plantations are replacing tiger habitat in Southeast Asia, so read food ingredient labels to check if the palm oil in your product is sustainably grown. When traveling abroad, do not purchase souvenirs or gifts that may contain tiger products - even products made from 'tiger substitutes' can contribute to declines in other endangered species, so it is best to avoid wildlife products entirely. Finally, become big cat savvy by learning about imperiled big cats in North America like the Florida panther and jaguar.

Female tigers are smaller than males. 9 -13 ft in length, with the tail representing up to 3 ft.The Siberian tiger ( males weigh 400-675 lbs) is the largest subspecies and the Sumatran tiger (220-310 lbs) is the smallest living subspecies.

10-15 years in the wild, up to 26 years in captivity

Tigers live in 13 range countries across Asia. Tigers occupy a variety of habitats from tropical forests, evergreen forests, woodlands and mangrove swamps to grasslands, savannah and rocky country.

In the early 1900s, there were estimated to be around 100,000 tigers throughout their range. Today, around 4,000 tigers live in the wild, while roughly 5,000-7,000 exist in captivity.

Tigers are mostly nocturnal (more active at night) and are ambush predators that rely on the camouflage their stripes provide to stalk prey. Tigers use their body weight to knock prey to the ground and kill with a bite to the neck. They are also very good swimmers and have been known to drown their prey. Tigers are territorial and typically live solitary lives, except during mating season and while females raise young.

Mating Season: In tropical climates, mostly from around November to April; during the winter months in temperate regions.
Gestation: 103-105 days.
Litter size: 3-4 cubs.
Cubs follow their mother out of the den at around 8 weeks and become independent at around 18 months of age. They leave their mothers at about 2 ½ years. Mothers guard their young from wandering males that may kill the cubs to make the female receptive to mating.

Tigers mainly eat sambar deer, wild pigs, water buffalo and antelope. Old and injured tigers have been known to attack domestic cattle and people.

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With Tiger King shedding light on how big cats can be forced into cruel, unnatural living situations when held in captivity, you can see why it's more important than ever to protect all big cats in the wild and to preserve and restore habitat for these amazing creatures.

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Only an estimated 3,800 tigers remain in the wild

A century of poaching and habitat destruction have decimated the global tiger population, which has declined from 100,000 to an estimated 3,800. Tiger range has been reduced by 93%, and 3 of 9 subspecies have already gone extinct. Despite international legal protections, approximately 150 wild tigers are killed annually to satisfy the demand for illicit products. These range from traditional medicines and virility tonics made from tiger bones, to decorative items made from their pelts, claws and teeth.

-93%
Tiger range has been reduced by 93%.

150
Approximately 150 wild tigers are killed annually to satisfy demand for illicit products.

3
Of the 9 tiger subspecies, 3 have gone extinct. Tigers remain in only 13 countries.

Although most prevalent in Mainland China, demand for tiger products also exists in Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States. WildAid is part of the International Tiger Coalition, which is comprised of 42 environmental, zoological, and animal protection groups. Together, the coalition is calling for a permanent ban on the trade in tiger parts and products. To reduce demand for tiger products, WildAid uses our unique communications model with a primary focus on China. We collaborate across all sectors of Chinese society; working with government, business, media partners, and celebrities to encourage attitudinal and behavioral change to reduce demand for tiger products.

In partnership with Shanghai Media Group, WildAid produced a 50-minute television documentary about tiger conservation starring three prominent Chinese musicians: The Voice of China coach Liu Huan, and two of his protégés, who are The Voice winners, Wei Lu and Huo Zun. In the film, the trio travels to India to see tigers in the wild, to learn about the local cultural significance of tigers, and to understand the threats to their survival.

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Only an estimated 3,800 tigers remain in the wild

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After a century of decline, tiger numbers are on the rise. About 4,500 tigers remain in the wild, but much more work is needed to protect this species that’s still vulnerable to extinction.

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A female tiger gives birth to a litter of three or four cubs, who she will care for until they are a year-and-a-half old. These cubs quadruple in size during their first month!

The powerful predator generally hunts alone, able to bring down prey such as deer and antelope. Tigers wait until dark to hunt. The tiger sprints to an unsuspecting animal, usually pulling it off its feet with its teeth and claws. If the prey animal is large, the tiger bites its throat to kill it; smaller prey is usually killed when the tiger breaks its neck. Tigers have been known to eat up to 80 pounds of meat in one night, but more often they consume about 12 pounds during a meal. It may take days for a tiger to finish eating its kill. The cat eats until it's full, and then covers the carcass with leaves and dirt. The tiger comes back to feed some more.

Tigers live far apart from each other. A tiger knows if it is in another tiger's territory based on the trees around him. Each tiger marks the trees in its area with urine and special scratches.

Unlike most members of the cat family, tigers seem to enjoy water and swim well.

Some tigers live where it gets very cold-in India and parts of southeast Asia. The whole species is endangered throughout its range.

Tigers have been overhunted for their fur as well as for other body parts that many people use in traditional medicines. Tigers' habitat has also dwindled seriously as humans have developed land for uses such as farming and logging. However, in the Siberian region of Russia, there's hope that these big cats are making a comeback.

Because of their size, strength, and predatory skills, tigers are considered one of the "big cats." Lions, cheetahs, jaguars, and cougars are also part of this grouping.

Tiger stripes are special to each individual, and their tails help them to keep their balance. The big cats share all but 4.4% of their DNA with domestic cats.

Take the big cat quiz to see how much you know about these fierce felines. Then, just for fun, see which wild cat you're most like with our personality quiz.

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Easily recognized by its coat of reddish-orange with dark stripes, the tiger is the largest wild cat in the world. The big cat's tail is three feet long. On average the big cat weighs 450 pounds, about the same as eight ten-year-old kids.

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Wondering About the Tazzy Tiger | Wild Kratts Videos | PBS KIDS

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The Wild Kratts crew examines some of the last-known footage of the Tasmanian tiger.

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Explore National Geographic. A world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.

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Explore National Geographic. A world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.

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Lions: Learn about the big cat that is the king of the jungle.

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The lion rules the land with it's hunting prowess and roar. Learn about this second biggest of the big cats.

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What are cheetahs? Kids find out about the big cat that is the fastest of the land mammals and lives in Africa.

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Kids learn about the Clouded Leopard, medium size cat from Asia that is endangered.

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Learn about the Tiger, the large striped cat from Asia that is endangered. Biggest cat on Earth.

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Lions live in groups called prides. There can be from from 3 to 30 lions in a pride. A pride contains many females and their young, and a few males. The lionesses rule the pride, working together to hunt and raise the cubs. But the adult males play an important role as well.

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Cheetahs are not strong predators, but they are fast. They rely on their speed-up to 70 miles per hour-to catch their prey. Everything about the cheetah is built for speed, from their non-retractable claws that act like cleats for traction, to their long tail that works like a rudder to help them change directions quickly.

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As people move into jaguar habitat, these cats have started feeding on livestock. Ranchers often respond by trapping and poisoning the jaguars. Logging, mining, and farming also leave less food and habitat for jaguars, causing them to become endangered.

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Accelerating from 0 to 96 km/h (60 mph) in three seconds, the cheetah is the world's fastest land mammal. They inhabit the grasslands of eastern, central, and southwestern Africa, as well as a small portion of Iran.

Cheetahs have several special adaptations that allow them to reach top speeds. Wide nostrils and large lungs combined with a powerful heart and strong arteries provide more oxygen to their muscles. Their huge leg muscles mainly consist of fast twitch fibers, which contract faster than normal muscles. Their small body frame is lightweight and aerodynamic. With long legs, loose hip and shoulder joints, and a flexible spine, cheetahs can cover 7 m (20-25 ft.) in one stride.

Running this quickly takes a lot of energy, and cheetahs can only maintain the sprint for about half a minute before burning out. With this limiting factor, they try to get as close as possible to their prey, which include antelope, wildebeest calves, and hares, before starting the chase. Camouflaged against the tall grasses, they quietly sneak up until they are confident of the attack. They burst out, using their tail as a rudder to help keep balance while making sharp turns. Their claws, which do not fully retract, grip the ground like cleats. Once they reach their target, they use their front paw to trip the prey. Then they strangle the animal with a bite and drag it to a hiding spot before another predator, such as a lion, leopard, or hyena, steals it.

Although sometimes confused with leopards, cheetahs are distinguished by their "tear-stained" black marks that run from the corners of their eyes down the side of their nose to their mouth. Their smaller stature and small, flat heads also set them apart.

They cannot roar, but they can purr and chirp. Unlike most cats, they have terrible night vision, which is why they hunt during the day. They also cannot climb trees.

Family Life

Female cheetahs give birth to around three cubs at a time. In the first few weeks, she moves the cubs from den to den, hiding them while she goes out hunting. At this point, they are very vulnerable to predators such as large eagles, lions, hyenas, and baboons.

Young cubs grow a thick yellow-gray coat on their backs called a mantle. The mantle protects the cub from the sun and rain and helps camouflage it in the shadows. It also makes the cub resemble a honey badger, which is a small feisty carnivore that most predators leave alone. The mantle starts disappearing when the cub is around three months old and thins to a mane at around two years. Despite these protections, cub mortality rate is high, at around 90%.

The cubs that survive start following their mother at around 6 weeks. They practice hunting though play with each other. After a year and a half, their mother leaves them to breed again. The cubs stay together until the females reach sexual maturity at around two years. At that point, other male cheetahs chase the male cubs off. But the male offspring often stay together for life, forming a group called a coalition. Coalitions are beneficial because they help male cheetahs gain territory.

Conservation Status

Today, around 7,500 cheetahs live in the wild, with about 100 living in small isolated populations in Iran. Cheetahs are threatened by habitat loss and conflicts with farmers. With low genetic diversity, the IUCN Red List considers them vulnerable of extinction.

What You Can Do to Help

If you would like to help cheetahs, you can support organizations like the Cheetah Conservation Fund through donations or volunteer work.

Cheetah Distribution

Cheetah Resources

Blog Posts about the Cheetah

About the Author

Abi Cushman is a contributing editor of Animal Fact Guide and My House Rabbit. When she's not writing about weird animal facts, Abi writes and illustrates funny books for kids. Her picture books, and Animals Go Vroom!, are available now from Viking Children's Books.

To learn more and to download free activity sheets, visit www.abicushman.com. Follow her on Twitter at @AbiCushman and on Instagram at @Abi.Cushman.

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Cheetah Facts for Kids | Big Cats | African Animals

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Did you know cheetahs can span 25 ft. in one stride? Special adaptations help them reach speeds up to 60 mph. Learn more cheetah facts at Animal Fact Guide!

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The cougar, which is also commonly referred to as a puma, mountain lion or panther, is the second largest cat in North America. Unlike other big cats, however, the cougar cannot roar. Instead, the large feline purrs like a house cat.

Cougars also have similar body types to house cats, only on a larger scale. They have slender bodies and round heads with pointed ears. They vary between 1.5-2.7 m (5-9 ft.) from head to tail. While males can weigh up to 68 kg (150 lb.), females weigh less, topping out at nearly 45 kg (100 lb.).

The coat of the cougar is a grayish tan to reddish color with lighter parts on the underside. The tail has a black spot on the end.

Inhabiting various ecosystems from mountains to deserts to sea-level, the cougar's established range includes western North America, a small region in Florida, and most of South America. They make their home anywhere that there is shelter and prey.

Generally they prey on deer but also feed on smaller animals if necessary, including domestic animals and livestock. Cougars have even been known to eat insects. Skilled and cunning hunters, cougars stay hidden from their prey until they can pounce with claws out-stretched. Cougars can also climb with ease and leap over 6 m (20 ft.). After killing a large animal, a cougar hides the carcass and eats in the coming days.

For the most part, the cougar has no natural enemies and sits atop the food chain. However, they occasionally compete with other predators such as bears and wolves for food.

During most of their lives, cougars are solitary creatures. They interact only to mate, which can happen at any time of year. Females can breed as early as 2-3 years old and give birth to 2-3 kittens at a time. They raise the young while the males return to their solitary lifestyles.

At around two years old, cougar offspring will leave their mother to start their own life. Some travel far to establish their own territory as cougars need a lot of room to roam.

A healthy cougar in the wild can live to around 10 years of age. In captivity, cougars can live as long as 20 years.

Conservation Status

Cougars have been long been killed by both sport hunters and farmers protecting their livestock. Other threats to cougar populations include habitat loss and fragmentation and automobile accidents. As a result, the cougar population has significantly decreased. There are still, however, several thousand cougars in the wild, and as a result, they listed as being of least concern on the IUCN Red List.

Although they once ranged widely throughout North and South America, cougars were largely wiped out from the eastern portion of the United States and Canada by European settlers in the 1700s. There is a small population in Florida, a subspecies known as the Florida panther. The Florida panther is considered to be critically endangered, and agencies are working to maintain the current population.

Furthermore, in recent years, sightings of cougars in the northeast United States and eastern Canada have been on the rise. Although many are the result of former captive cougars who escaped or were released, there is a possibility of recolonization of cougars in the east.

What You Can Do To Help

It is difficult to stop habitat loss or reverse its effects, but there are some ways you can help. You can help persuade your congressperson to designate the cougar as a protected animal. This legally prevents the taking or injuring of cougars, unless they pose a threat. This law has been in effect in the state of California since the approval of Proposition 117 in 1990.

You can also appeal to your congresspeople advocating the preservation of open land in order to maintain a livable habitat for cougars. In addition, you can donate directly to the Mountain Lion Foundation.

Cougar Distribution

Cougar Resources

Blog Posts about the Cougar

About the Author

P.A. Smith is a middle school Language Arts teacher. He is also a contributing editor of My House Rabbit.

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Cougar Facts | Puma | Mountain Lion | Panther

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Unlike other big cats, the cougar cannot roar. Instead, the large feline purrs like a house cat. Learn more cougar facts at Animal Fact Guide!

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Explore National Geographic. A world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.

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The Siberian tiger, a subspecies of tiger, is the largest cat in the world. It averages about 3.3 m (11 ft.) in length, with a tail measuring 1 m (3 ft.). Adult male Siberian tigers can weigh up to 320 kg (700 lb.), while females are significantly smaller, weighing up to 180 kg (400 lb.).

Siberian tigers are distinguishable by their striped fur. Similar to people's unique fingerprints, no two tigers have the same striped pattern. Siberian tigers differ from other tigers because they have fewer, paler stripes, and they also have manes. The mane, in addition to their thick fur, helps keep them warm.

Also known as the Amur tiger, the Siberian tiger resides in a small region in the southeast region Russia. They are also located in small numbers in China and North Korea.

Siberian tigers are solitary animals, marking their scent on trees to keep other tigers away. They roam many miles and hunt often. They stalk their prey, which include elk, boar, bears, and deer, until they are close enough to pounce. When successful, they drag their kill to a secluded area before devouring the meat.Tigers also hunt smaller animals like rabbits, pikas, and fish.

Because tigers are not always successful on their hunts, they need to hunt often. They can eat up to 27 kg (60 lb.) if they are very hungry, but generally they eat about 9 kg (20 lb.) of meat in one sitting.

The gestation period in Siberian tigers is 3-3.5 months. Female tigers give birth once every two years at any point during the year.

A litter consists of two to six cubs. The mother tiger will care for the cubs by herself, at times, leaving the babies alone while she hunts. Often she cannot catch enough food for the cubs, and some will die.

At 3 months, the babies will be able to leave the den; they may even go on hunts with their mother. At 18 months old, they are able to hunt on their own, but will not leave their mother's den. When they reach 2-3 years old, they will leave the den and begin life on their own.

Conservation Status

Siberian tigers are considered endangered by IUCN's Red List. One cause of their dwindling population is loss of habitat due to deforestation. In addition, Siberian tigers are poached, or illegally hunted, for their fur and for body parts that are used for traditional medicines.

Efforts have been made to curb poaching of tigers and to protect tiger habitats. Many countries, including the United States, have created laws that outlaw the importation and selling of tiger parts. There are also breeding programs to help sustain the tiger population.

Siberian Tiger Distribution

Tiger Resources

Blog Posts about the Siberian Tiger

About the Author

P.A. Smith is a middle school Language Arts teacher. He is also a contributing editor of My House Rabbit.

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Siberian Tiger Facts | Amur Tigers | Endangered Animals

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Similar to people's unique fingerprints, no two tigers have the same striped pattern. Learn more Siberian tiger facts at Animal Fact Guide.

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Explore National Geographic. A world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.

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Explore National Geographic. A world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.

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Explore National Geographic. A world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.

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A regal horned lizard looks on calmly as a hungry coyote comes near. All of a sudden-splat! The crafty lizard squirts the coyote with a stream of blood from its eyes. Believe it or not, this reptile can shoot the gory goo three feet or more! And that's just one of its clever tricks.

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A regal horned lizard looks on calmly as a hungry coyote comes near. All of a sudden-splat! The crafty lizard squirts the coyote with a stream of blood from its eyes. Believe it or not, this reptile can shoot the gory goo three feet or more! And that's just one of its clever tricks.

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‎But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids: Hoots And Screeches And Whistles, Part 1 on Apple Podcasts

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‎Show But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids, Ep Hoots And Screeches And Whistles, Part 1 - May 11, 2018

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This small bird, found in North and South America, is different from most other owls. While other owls are active only at night, a burrowing owl hunts during the day as well as at night. Instead of nesting in a hollow high up in a tree, it nests in an underground burrow.

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Explore National Geographic. A world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.

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The great horned owl gets its name from the tufts of feathers on its head that look like ears. But the owl's ears are really farther down on the side of its head, and are just openings in the skull hidden beneath feathers.

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Outdoor Nevada | Burrowing Owl | PBS LearningMedia

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In this video segment from Outdoor Nevada, listen as Brian Wignall describes the burrowing owl. Observe unique adaptive characteristics and behaviors that allow the only ground-dwelling owl to live and thrive over a wide area of western North and South America.

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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How do butterflies fly? Why are butterflies called butterflies? How do airplanes fly? If gravity pulls everything down, how do planes and rockets get up in the air? Why do planes have engines and how do they make them? We're visiting ECHO, the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum for answers.

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‎But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids: How Do Butterflies Fly? on Apple Podcasts

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How do butterflies fly? Why are butterflies called butterflies? How do airplanes fly? If gravity pulls everything down, how do planes and rockets get up in the air? Why do planes have engines and how do they make them? We're visiting ECHO, the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain and the Smithsonian Nati...

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They taste with their feet and have a suction tube for a mouth. Butterflies are amazing! They are found in every habitat from tropical forests to deserts to grasslands to tundra! You can see them almost anywhere in the world, because they live on every continent except Antarctica.

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Explore National Geographic. A world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.

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Newsela | Some insects taste with their feet and hear with their wings

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Some insects have sensory organs in strange places.

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Username: ABDO Secondary
Password: 2020

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Explore our wide variety of animal facts and learn some fun trivia about our friends in the animal kingdom.

Fun Horse Facts for Kids

Check out our fun horse facts for kids and enjoy learning a wide range of interesting information about horses. Find out the difference between a colt and a filly, read about horses funny sleeping habits, how fast they run and much more.

Horses can sleep both lying down and standing up.

Horses can run shortly after birth.

Domestic horses have a lifespan of around 25 years.

A 19th century horse named 'Old Billy' is said to have lived 62 years.

Horses have around 205 bones in their skeleton.

Horses have been domesticated for over 5000 years.

Horses are herbivores (plant eaters).

Horses have bigger eyes than any other mammal that lives on land.

Because horse's eyes are on the side of their head they are capable of seeing nearly 360 degrees at one time.

Horses gallop at around 44 kph (27 mph).

The fastest recorded sprinting speed of a horse was 88 kph (55 mph).

Estimates suggest that there are around 60 million horses in the world.

Scientists believe that horses have evolved over the past 50 million years from much smaller creatures.

A male horse is called a stallion.

A female horse is called a mare.

A young male horse is called a colt.

A young female horse is called a filly.

Ponies are small horses. More pony facts.

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Fun Horse Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about Horses

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Explore our wide variety of animal facts and learn some fun trivia about our friends in the animal kingdom. Fun Horse Facts for Kids Check out our fun horse facts for kids and enjoy learning a wide range of interesting information about horses.

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Scientific Name:

Equus ferus caballus

Size:

Height at the shoulders: 30 to 69 inches

Weight:

120 to 2,200 pounds

Size relative to a 6-ft man:

Horses and humans have an ancient relationship. Asian nomads probably domesticated the first horses some 4,000 years ago, and the animals remained essential to many human societies until the advent of the engine. Horses still hold a place of honor in many cultures, often linked to heroic exploits in war.

Wild and Domesticated

There is only one species of domestic horse, but around 400 different breeds that specialize in everything from pulling wagons to racing. All horses are grazers.

While most horses are domestic, others remain wild. Feral horses are the descendents of once-tame animals that have run free for generations. Groups of such horses can be found in many places around the world. Free-roaming North American mustangs, for example, are the descendents of horses brought by Europeans more than 400 years ago.

Wild horses generally gather in groups of 3 to 20 animals. A stallion (mature male) leads the group, which consists of mares (females) and young foals. When young males become colts, at around two years of age, the stallion drives them away. The colts then roam with other young males until they can gather their own band of females.

The Przewalski's horse is the only truly wild horse whose ancestors were never domesticated. Ironically, this stocky, sturdy animal exists today only in captivity. The last wild Przewalski's horse was seen in Mongolia in 1968.

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Explore the ancient relationship between human and horse. Learn why hundreds of distinctive breeds are all members of a single species.

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Learn about the horse including terminology, colors, food, wild horses and more.

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Discover the Differences Between a Horse and a Pony

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Discover the similarities and differences between horses and ponies. Tell one from the other based on size, strength, appetite, and other traits.

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The Largest and Smallest Horse Breeds Around the World

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The Largest and Smallest Horse Breeds Around the World

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The 12 Smallest Horse Breeds Around the World

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Miniature horses often don’t exceed 100 pounds or exceed 57 inches. Learn about some of the smallest horse breeds.

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Horses have very specific dietary needs because they are herbivores, and have a unique digestive tract quite different from ours. Their long digestive system requires a high-fiber diet that is consumed in small amounts over a long time period. Rather than a few large meals, like we typically eat, horses usually eat many small meals throughout the day. Horses actually spend most of their time eating! Here is a quick rundown of what horses eat and a few things they shouldn't.

Pasture Grass and Tender Plants

The natural diet of the horse is pasture grass and tender plants. Good pasture contains most of the nutrition a horse requires to be healthy. It also contains silica, which is important for dental health. Primitive horses can live on sparse rations and often have to make do with less than ideal pasture and living conditions. This is likely why problems like obesity, equine metabolic syndrome, and laminitis are rare in wild horses but occur frequently in our modern horses. Pasture grass isn't necessarily the problem; the type of horses we've developed and the lack of exercise are.

Those of us with easy keepers need to limit the amount of fresh grass our horses have access to. Introducing lush pasture suddenly to a horse not used to it can cause serious problems as well. For the horse that is a hard keeper, however, good pasture provides the best nutrition.

Many of us don't have the luxury of being able to let our horses graze on pasture throughout the whole year. When grass isn't available, hay is the next-best choice. Finding good horse hay can be tricky. It helps to have hay tested, so any shortfalls in vitamins and minerals can be compensated for with supplements. For some horses, rich hay can be a problem in the same way rich pasture grass can be. ​Easy keepers may need to be restricted from 24/7 access to a bale feeder.

Oats are a traditional grain fed to horses. However, horses may also be fed small amounts of other grains like corn. Some grains, such as wheat, aren't always good for horses. The seed head of grasses would be the closest thing a ​wild horse would come to eating grains in their natural environment.

Grains that are grown, harvested, and processed using modern-day methods are not natural foods for horses. It is easy to feed too much grain to horses. Grain also doesn't require a similar length of chewing time, nor does it contain the levels of silica that grass does. This can contribute to issues including ulcers and dental problems. A horse that over-eats a large amount of grain may have colic or founder.

Concentrate Mixes

Concentrates are usually a mixture of things like grains, flaxseed, beet pulp, molasses for energy and flavor, bran, vitamins and minerals, and other ingredients. Commercial mixes may have a number of ingredients in them, or some feed mills will mix concentrates to your specifications (only practical when you have a large number of horses to feed).

Concentrate mixes, like grain, help make up for any shortfall in nutrition and provide a quick source of energy. Mares in foal, nursing mares, performance, or working horses often benefit from being fed concentrates in addition to grass or hay.

Salt and Minerals

Supplements such as salt and minerals may be included in a concentrate mix or may be offered separately. A salt block or loose salt in a pasture or stall allows horses to help themselves when they have a craving. Some salt may come mixed with minerals. Some people offer free-choice minerals as well, or they may add them into the horse's grain or concentrate meal. Many people find that salt is consumed more during the summer months than in colder weather.

Many of us like to feed our horses treats. These tidbits may include things like apples, carrots, or other favorite fruits or vegetables, handfuls of grain, sugar cubes or candies, or sometimes odd things like a bite of a hot dog or boiled egg. However, it may not be advisable to feed horses meat or too many sugary treats, including fruit. Horses are herbivores, and even though a horse may not show outward signs like colic when fed meat, they may still feel some discomfort and strange foods could affect the intestinal flora.

Of course, a horse won't make the connection to the hamburger they ate an hour ago and the discomfort they're having now, so they'll probably eat any food they like over and over again. This is why it's important to feed treats in small amounts. Treats need to be considered as part of the overall feeding plan and kept to a minimum if your horse needs to watch its weight. Your horse also needs to be respectful when being fed treats.

Of course, a horse doesn't really "eat" water. However, water is an essential part of the equine diet. A horse eating pasture grass probably won't drink as much water as one on a hay-only diet. However, fresh, clean water is essential for both.

A Note About Bran

Brans, including wheat and rice bran, are not recommended as a major part of your horse's diet; they can cause mineral imbalances.

Warning

Don't be tempted to throw lawn clippings, garden refuse or compostables over the fence. All can contain plants toxic to horses.

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Feeding Your Horses to Keep Them Healthy

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Caring for horses can be tricky. Find out what a horse's natural foods are, what they should and should not eat, and how to feed horses.

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Online guided reading program with interactive ebooks, downloadable books, and reading quizzes.

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Why do turtles need shells? Why do turtles move so slowly? Why do frogs hop? Why are frogs green? Why are colorful frogs poisonous? Why do frogs inflate their throats? What some of the biggest threats are to amphibians and reptiles? We head out to the pond to get answers from some herpetologists! We also get a preview of the new Earth Rangers podcast!

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why do turtles need shells? why do frogs hop?

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‎But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids: Why Do Turtles Need Shells? Why Do Frogs Hop? on Apple Podcasts

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Why do turtles need shells? Why do turtles move so slowly? Why do frogs hop? Why are frogs green? Why are colorful frogs poisonous? Why do frogs inflate their throats? What some of the biggest threats are to amphibians and reptiles? We head out to the pond to get answers from some herpetologists!

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One of the most common questions is, "What is the difference between Frogs and Toads?"

Most are surprised to hear that all Toads actually are Frogs!

Frogs

Generally speaking, though, when we think of frogs, we generally picture what are called "True Frogs"....
members of the family Ranidae, containing more than 400 species.
These frogs have the characteristics of:

two bulging eyes

strong, long, webbed hind feet that are adapted for leaping and swimming

smooth or slimy skin (generally, frogs tend to like moister environments)

Frogs tend to lay eggs in clusters.

Frogs from this family can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They are referred to as the "true frogs" because of their generalized body form and life history: the so-called generic frog.
Members of this family include the bullfrog, common frog, green frog, leopard frog, marsh frog, pickerel frog, and wood frog.

Toads

The term toads tends to refer to "True Toads"....
members of the family Bufonidae, containing more than 300 species.
These types of frogs have are characterized by:

stubby bodies with short hind legs (for walking instead of hopping)

warty and dry skin (usually preferring dryer climates)

paratoid (or poison) glands behind the eyes

The chest cartilage of toads is different also.

Toads tend to lay eggs in long chains. (There are some toads (genera Nectophrynoides), however, that are the only types of anurans to bear live young!)

True Toads can be found worldwide except in Australasia, polar regions, Madagascar, and Polynesia, though Bufo marinus has been artificially introduced into Australia and some South Pacific islands.
Besides Bufo, the family includes 25 genera, all of which, like the frogs, are anura!

Images are from the clip art archive on ftp.funet.fi.

The physical distinctions, however, can easily get blurred because sometimes the features appear mixed or less obvious, and certain species even legitimately fall into both categories. It is not uncommon, for example, to find a warty skinned frog that isn't a toad, or even a slimy toad! Even the more invisible stuff like cartilage structure has been found to sometimes fit both categories!

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Strange but True Facts.
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One of the most common questions is, "What is the difference between Frogs and Toads?" Most are surprised to hear that all Toads actually are Frogs! Frogs Generally speaking, though, when we think of frogs, we generally picture what are called "True Frogs".... members of the family Ranidae, containing more than 400 species.

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Life Cycle of a Frog

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Learn the life-cycle of amphibians, those super-adaptable creatures that include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. Ribbit!

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A female red-eyed tree frog has laid a batch of eggs on a leaf. She chose the spot carefully-the leaf hangs over a pond.

When the eggs are ready to hatch, the tadpoles inside start swirling around vigorously. The activity breaks each egg open, releasing the little tadpoles. All the tadpoles wash down the leaf in a little stream of moisture from the hatching eggs, and-plop! plop! plop!-they land in the pond below.

Feeding on tiny insects, the tadpoles live in the water they fell into until they metamorphose, or develop, into little brown froglets. At this point they leave the water and climb up nearby trees to live as tree frogs.

By the time they're adults, the frogs have turned a striking green, with blue-and-yellow striped sides, orange or red feet, a flash of blue on their thighs, and big red eyes. The bright colors are a defense mechanism.

Being green helps the red-eyed tree frog blend in with tree leaves. If the green camouflage fails and a predator spots a sleeping frog, it swoops in for what it thinks will be a tasty meal. But the awakened frog's eyes pop open, revealing their startling bright red color!

Also, when the frog rushes to get away, it untucks its brightly colored legs. The predator is often so surprised by these sudden flashes of color that it is momentarily confused and hesitates. And while it does, the frog has a split second to make its escape!

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A female red-eyed tree frog has laid a batch of eggs on a leaf. She chose the spot carefully-the leaf hangs over a pond. When the eggs are ready to hatch, the tadpoles inside start swirling around vigorously. The activity breaks each egg open, releasing the little tadpoles.

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Bullfrogs live in freshwater ponds, lakes, and marshes. The male bullfrog’s call is deep and loud. Jug-o-rum, jug-o-rum, it calls. Some people think it sounds like a cow mooing, which is why the frog has “bull” in its name. Walking through a marsh or near a pond, you might hear a whole chorus of the…

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The Emberá of South America use the frogs' poison to coat the tips of the blow darts they use for hunting. You'll also hear poison frogs called "poison arrow frogs," but that's not accurate. The South American tribes that hunt with arrows usually coat their arrow tips with plant poisons, not frog poisons.

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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Podcast: Why don't spiders get stuck in their webs?

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Podcast: Why don't spiders get stuck in their webs?

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Why don't spiders stick to their own webs? How do spiders walk up walls and on ceilings without falling? Why do spiders have eight legs and eight eyes? How do they make webs? And silk? What's a cobweb? How do spiders eat? And why are daddy long legs called daddy long legs when they have to have a female to produce babies?! We're talking spiders today with arachnologist Catherine Scott.

Download our learning guides: Transcript| Coloring Page

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why don't spiders get stuck in their webs?

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‎But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids: Why Don't Spiders Get Stuck In Their Webs? on Apple Podcasts

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Why don't spiders stick to their own webs? How do spiders walk up walls and on ceilings without falling? Why do spiders have eight legs and eight eyes? How do they make webs? And silk? What's a cobweb? How do spiders eat?

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This colorful, dancing arachnid is just one of the new peacock spider species that's been found in eastern Australia.
Published April 22, 2015
If you don't think of spiders as cute and cuddly, then you've never met Sparklemuffin. Scientists have identified the adorable arachnid as one of three recently discovered species of peacock spider in eastern Australia.

Less than a quarter-inch (five millimeters) long, male peacock spiders are known for their bright colors and flashy mating dance. These colors-like the vibrant red and blue of Sparklemuffin's stripes-make it easy to tell the difference between species. Many female peacock spiders, though, look alike, even to the males.

So how do peacock spiders like Sparklemuffin-a pet name given to this new species-break it down? When a female is nearby, the male begins his dance by raising the third pair of legs from his front and waving them around. Then he unfolds the flaps over his belly and waves those around. As the female comes toward him, he starts shaking and rolling his body, sending vibrations through the ground that the female can sense.

Fifty-three species of peacock spider, which are found only in Australia, have been named so far. But photographer Jürgen Otto thinks many more are waiting to be discovered. Because not many scientists are studying these spiders, he says photographers and nature lovers will probably be the ones to find new spiders. We can't wait to see what name they come up with next!
Text from "Behold Sparklemuffin and Skeletorus, New Peacock Spiders" by Carrie Arnold for National Geographic News Adapted by Rose Davidson, NGS Staff

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Read about one of three recently discovered peacock spiders in Australia.

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Scorpions are arachnids and have eight legs like their cousins—spiders, mites, and ticks. They can quickly grab an insect with their pincers and whip their telson, the poisonous tip of their tail forward and sting their prey. They use their poison to kill prey and to defend against predators. Scorpi…

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Although spiders are fearsome predators, other animals often eat them. Tarantulas have many natural enemies, including lizards, snakes, spider-eating birds, and even wasps. Though people are often afraid of tarantula bites, most species' venom is only as strong as a bee's. And remember, a tarantula would rather hide from you than bite you.