Fight or Flight: The Red Eyed Tree Frog

A new study conducted by Scientist at the University of Scranton, found that the developing red-eyed tree frog in cases of stress is able hatch itself prematurely in order to escape harms way.
"The frogs normally lay a mass of 40 or so eggs on a twig or leaf over a freshwater pond. If all is well, the eggs hatch at 6 or 7 days old and the tadpoles fall into the pond. But if the eggs are attacked by a snake or a wasp during the last couple of days of development, the embryos can launch early. They wriggle out and drop to the water in less than a minute, sometimes in less than 10 seconds."

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/red-eyed-tree-frog/

The Scientists conducted a fake "attack" by poking the embryo enough to simulate a possible predator. They then discovered that the tadpole in response to the stress released enzymes which consequently broke down the embryonic wall and hatched the egg allowing the tadpole to escape harms way.

The fight or flight response has always fascinated me in the sense that not one creature responds in the same way. This tree frog definitely has a unique and efficient way of responding to predators.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/27/science/hatching-frogs.html?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Fsciencetake&action=click&contentCollection=science&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection

Smallest Frogs Around

This article is about a group of frogs that were recently discovered in New Guinea. These frogs were unique from not just other frogs in the area but all around the world.These are the smallest of the tetrapods which are non-fish vertebrates. This set of frogs belong to the genus Paedophryne which are already extremely small.Paedophryne is a unique genus in that all species are minute. The four known species all inhabit small ranges in the mountains of southeastern New Guinea or adjacent, offshore islands But these certain frogs have smaller digits which give them a disadvantage when it comes to climbing. Another fault they have is during reproduction such a small female can only produce around two eggs and it is not known if they are laid at once or in stages. This article was found at:http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/12/12/worlds_smallest_frogs_discovered_in_new_guinea.html

Tree Frogs May Hold Key For New Product Design

According to Scottish academic Niell Crawford, Tree Frog biology can lead a path for new innovative products such as road sticking tires. Crawford claims the biology of the tree frog foot can lead to the development of products such as medical bandages, tires, and long lasting adhesives. For many years biologists have known that tree frogs could climb to high places and mount themselves to a surface . However, it wasn't until a recent laboratory experiment that researchers discovered how they could accomplish this. Researchers used a tilting surface to measure the angles at which the tree frogs lost their grips. Researchers then added dirt and dust to the experiment and realized that the frogs took a little longer to regain their grips. After the experiment the scientists concluded that tree frog mucus cleans their feet and allows them to quickly regain their adhesive abilities. This finding is leading scientists and engineers to design new concepts for current products.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2011982/Tree-frogs-hold-key-new-self-cleaning-bandages-long-lasting-glues-grippier-tyres.html

http://ambergriscaye.com/critters/redeyedtreefrog.html