All About Dwarf African Frogs & their Habitat
Today we are going to learn
about:
The Dwarf African Frog, their
characteristics, and their
habitat.
True or False
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•
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Dwarf African Frogs live in freshwater, such as ponds.
The Dwarf African Frog always grow more than two inches
in length.
The Dwarf African Frog rarely grows more than two inches
in length.
•
Dwarf African Frogs are arthropods.
•
The Dwarf African Frog is almost completely land animals.
Think and Visualize...
a. Think and visualize... Have you ever
thought how a Dwarf African Frog
might feel?
b. What are some important parts of the
Dwarf African Frog?
c. Does a Dwarf African Frog live on
land? live in water? or both?
We Do NOT Taste
Observations
•
•
Use all of your senses when observing
the Dwarf African Frog and its
habitat.(except taste)
Be sure to record your observations on
your Dwarf African Frog-Recording
Sheet.
Turn & Talk
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•
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Turn and talk with your partner about the
observations you made about the Dwarf
African Frog.
Write in your science notebook about the
observations you made.
Share your observations with the class.
Use the 4-dot glue method to glue your
Recording Sheet into your Science
Notebook.
Vocabulary
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Hibernate- In extreme cold, they become inactive or dormant on land or in mud at the
bottom of lakes and ponds.
Estivate- In extreme heat frogs estivate, they slow down their body process in cool mud.
Chromatophores- are responsible for shade changes. In the cool temperatures the
chromatophores spread out, and the amphibian becomes darker. In warm temperatures,
chromatophores contract and the amphibians become lighter. Some will change from one
color to another.
Ectotherms- is an organism in which internal physiological sources of heat are of relatively
small or quite negligible importance in controlling body temperature. Such organisms (for
example frogs) rely on environmental heat sources, which permits them to operate at very
economical metabolic rates.
Burbling- the expiration and inspiration of air at the water’s surface.
Tympanic Membrane- is a thin, cone-shaped membrane that separates the external ear
from the middle ear in humans and other tetrapods. Its function is to transmit sound from the
air to the ossicles inside the middle ear. The malleus bone bridges the gap between the
eardrum and the other ossicles.
Vocal Sac- is the flexible membrane of skin possessed by most male frogs. The
purpose of the vocal sac is usually as an amplification of their mating or
advertisement call. The presence or development of the vocal sac is one way of
Where are Dwarf African Frogs
Found:

Dwarf African Frogs live in freshwater, such as ponds.

The Dwarf African Frog is almost completely aquatic, only coming to
the surface to breathe. They're freshwater bottom dwellers by nature and
can be found in rivers, streams, ponds and brooks.

The Dwarf African Frogs spend a majority of their time at the bottom of
low-current waterways and often wedge themselves in between smooth
rocks. They're an active species, but when they're not roaming about,
they will hover motionlessly in the water to rest.

Dwarf African Frogs hibernate in cold weather and estivate, which
slows down their body process in extreme heat by getting in cool mud.
Characteristics:

Dwarf African Frogs belong to a group called Pipids.

Dwarf African Frogs have chromatophores, which are responsible for
shade changes. In the cool temperature the chromatophores spread out,
and the amphibian becomes darker. In warm temperatures,
chromatophores contract and the amphibians become lighter. Some will
change from one color to another.

Dwarf African Frogs are amphibians.

Dwarf African Frogs burb. They expirate and inspirate air at the water’s
surface.

The Dwarf African Frog rarely grows more than two inches in length.
Lifestyle

The Dwarf African Frog, as its name suggests, is
found throughout tropical and subtropical sub-Saharan
Africa. The Congo basin contains a majority of the
frog population, though they're also found in
Cameroon and other river-dense areas.

The Dwarf African Frog shares its natural habitat with
hundreds of species of fish, but stays near the bottom
to keep from becoming a meal. It feeds off of
mosquito larvae, tiny fish or small snails that are
native to its natural environment.
http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/habitats/fresh
waterhabitats/
Facts about Video
• Write down at least two facts from
the video in your Science
Notebooks.
True or False
•
•
•
Dwarf African Frogs live in freshwater, such as ponds.
The Dwarf African Frog always grow more than two inches
in length.
The Dwarf African Frog rarely grows more than two inches
in length.
•
Dwarf African Frogs are arthropods.
•
The Dwarf African Frog is almost completely land animals.