How Frogs Absorb Air and Water Through Their Skin

Rapid Summary

• Frogs and other amphibians rely on their skin for breathing (cutaneous respiration) and drinking, alongside their lungs.
• Frog skin is thin, porous, covered in mucus-producing glands, and is vascularized to facilitate oxygen absorption and carbon dioxide expulsion.
• Tadpoles use air bubbles for breathing before thay develop gills; frogs have a “drinking patch” area on the skin optimized for water absorption.
• desert frog species store water internally during rainy seasons to survive prolonged droughts by burrowing underground.
• Amphibians’ permeable skin makes them vulnerable to pollutants like chemicals and microplastics as well as climate change impacts such as increased droughts or temperature rises.
• Declines in frog populations due to environmental changes can disrupt ecosystems by affecting prey/predator dynamics.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The biology of frogs serves as both a marvel of nature’s adaptability and an indicator of environmental health. In India, where diverse ecosystems like rainforests, wetlands, and deserts are home to numerous amphibian species, the vulnerability described poses critical challenges. The rising effects of climate change-extreme weather events or habitat shrinkage-and pollution could threaten India’s native frog populations just as elsewhere. Protecting amphibians would not only preserve biodiversity but also maintain ecological balance since frogs control insect populations that affect agriculture. Proactive measures such as curbing pollution in water bodies could directly aid conservation efforts while reflecting larger environmental policies aimed at sustainability.

Read More: How do Frogs Breathe and Drink Through Their Skin