Vision

Frogs have large, well developed eyes that sit prominently at the tops of their head, offering most species the ability to see in any direction. Experiments indicate that frogs have excellent depth perception and are able to easily differentiate between prey and predator. They can see for vast distances. The eyes of tadpoles are located at the sides and tops of their heads and have less binocular vision than their adult counterparts. Based on the study of amphibian eyes, it has been determined that they have fairly good color vision. Tree frogs move toward green ( forested terrain) and aquatic frogs have a preference for blue light.

Olfactory Senses

Frogs have two basic organs for chemical olfaction or detection of odors. One is the epithelium of the nose, and the other is the Jacobson’s Organ, also known as the vomeronasal organ, located near the internal nostrils above the roof of the mouth. Airborne and aquatic odors are sensed mainly by the nasal or olfactory epithelium, whereas substances that end up in the mouth or on the tongue are sensed by the vomeronasal organs. The sense of smell is generally well developed and after sight, olfaction is the most important sense. The sense of smell in frogs has been linked to sex recognition, detection of breeding ponds, recognition of siblings, recognition of eggs, and recognition of individuals. It is also involved in delimiting territories as well as enabling prey detection, especially in low light or no light situations. Thus it is used in finding mates; avoiding enemies and helping amphibians find their way home, as well as getting a meal!

Hearing, Voice and Communication

Frogs and toads have well developed ears- including an eardrum that is visible behind the eye (tympanium) in some species. Frogs use their hearing mainly for one purpose: listing and communicating with other frogs. Amazingly, frogs even have dialects. For example frogs from a certain lake can distinguish the sounds of frogs from their own lake, and that of other frogs of the same species in a different lake, speaking the same language but with a different dialect. Frogs and toads communicate with each other by voice and in some cases by body language or movements. It is probable that frogs were the first vertebrates to communicate with each other by some sort of sound or speech. It is primarily the male of the species that has the best developed voice, as females are usually mute. Frog calls are most predominately heard during the mating season, the sounds are also known as the mating call. The sound is produced by the voice box or larynx which lies in the throat. Most frogs have vocal sacs that act as resonating or amplifying chambers.

Body Language

Some frog species have been observed waving their arms around in what certainly looks like some sort of signal, greeting, or similar form of communication. This was first observed by the small Australian frog. According to the observation, it appeared as these frogs were waving to each other. The purpose of such behaviors is not clear. It may simply be a muscle stretching exercise, or it may be some form of communication behavior or signal. It clearly resembles the hello/goodbye waving of people, and this makes it all the more mysterious.