ALL THE REST —  May 25
  

Amphibians and FROGS

Let's Eat

All adult frogs are carnivores. Most are not specific and will eat any small animal their large mouth can accommodate. Relatively few frogs are large enough to eat other vertebrates. Most, therefore, will eat earthworms, insects, and other arthropods. Frogs are of enormous economic value to humans, since the devour huge quantifies of insects. Large frogs like the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) can take birds and mice, small turtles, and under crowded conditions it will become a fearsome predator on smaller frogs of its own and other species.

Most, but not all, frogs have tongues. The pipoid frogs (5 genera, 30 species) are the only frogs without tongues. Most frogs are equipped with remarkable tongues. Frog tongues come in two varieties: The majority are attached at the front of the mouth and have a tip shaped like a capital "M"; others are attached to the floor of the mouth. The long muscular tongue can be flicked forward with considerable speed (faster than the human eye can see) and at great distances. The frog is able to snap up its prey with the aid of sticky secretions from glands in the tongue. The large mouth accommodates large prey and eyes can be retracted into their sockets to bulge against the roof of the mouth and assist in swallowing.

As Kermit sang, "It isn't easy being green." Frogs are also of huge economic value to humans, because they serve as a critical link in the food chain. Frogs are prey to many animals. Their enemies range from tarantulas to humans. There are a number of snakes whose diet consists largely to entirely of frogs. Herons skewer frogs in shallow water, bats snatch them from branches over tropical pools, and turtles ambush them from under water. Big frogs eat little frogs. Some parasitic flies lay eggs on them. Leeches attack them externally and even enter their bodies. The tadpole is a tasty treat for any meat eater.

Humans discovered early in their history that frogs are tasty. Along with their pleasing taste, frog legs are low in fat and carbohydrates. The French have been contemptuously known as "frog eaters." This popular form of verbal abuse reached its height during World War I, but its earliest origin is in 1791. The French today consume more than 200 million frogs each year. The United States imports 1.25 million pounds of frog legs annually generally from Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. In addition to the imports there are numerous commercial frog farmers in the United States.

Over the next remaining days of the 'Amphibian Month' we will look more closely at a few specific frogs.

Sources for the Amphibian - Frog series include:

Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians - Editors: Dr. Harold G. Cogger, Dr. Richard G,.Zweifel, Academid Press
Frogs - Text: David Badger, Photography: JohnNetherton; Voyageur Press
Groliers Encyclopedia
Microsoft(R) Encarta(R)
Encyclopedia Britanica

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)

"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable."

Joseph Addison

 

A rookie cop was asked the following question on an examination: "How would you go about dispersing a crowd?"

He answered: "Take up an offering. That does it every time."

From PRAYER WORKS E-mail List

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A clergyman had just enjoyed a hearty chicken dinner at the home of a rural parishioner. Gazing out the window, he remarked: "That rooster seems a mighty proud and happy bird."

"He should," the host replied. "His oldest son just entered the ministry."

Bits & Pieces, March 31,1994

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A famous lawyer found himself at heaven's gates confronting St. Peter. He protested that it was all a mistake: he was only 49 and far too young to be dead.

"That's odd," said St. Peter, "according to the hours you've billed
you're 119 years old."

Jokes@gag-o-matic.lowcomdom.com

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TRUE FACT ...

Humans begin laughing at two to three months of age. Six year olds laugh about 300 times per day, while adults laugh from 15 to 100 times per day.

SOURCE: NYT, Dr. William F. Fry, Stanford University

BATHROOM SCALES: Equipment which only seems to work correctly when one holds on to towel rail, stands on one foot and leans hard to the left.

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Be Definite

  Little Billy said his good night prayer, closing with something about like this: "Dear Jesus, Tommy Brown has a bicycle and I do want one. Please send me a bicycle." His parents heard his earnest petition and decided to help answer his prayer. They went down town to secure it but decided he was a little too small for the bicycle and so they got a tricycle. They took it home and placed it in the room where he would see it when he awoke. Next morning he awoke, sat up in bed and rubbed his sleepy eyes, as he gazed upon the tricycle he said, "Dear Lord, don't you know the difference between a bicycle and a tricycle?" The parents heard him and took the tricycle and exchanged it for a bicycle. He was definite. We are too indefinite often in praying. The needy man, in the Bible, went to his neighbor and said, "Friend, lend me three loaves." Too often we do not pray for anything definite and do not receive anything special.

By William Moses Tidwell, "Effective Illustrations."

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Daily Miscellany Comics

Have A Great Day !

Phillip Bower

Soul Food May 25
 

All the Rest May 25