Texas Wildlife Association presents... September 2017 Kid s Quarterly Mini-Mag! Vol. 11 No. 3 Postcards from Nancy... by Elanor Dean Hey there wildlife fans! and I am an insectivore too. Carlos and I chatted for a while, and Fall is just around the corner which means shorter days he told me that he is a cricket frog, which explains the chirping and cooler weather. I am super excited about the cricket sound I heard, but couldn t identify with my nose. new season because this summer has been very Cricket frogs are usually found in small groups near slowhot. I have spent a lot of time trying to stay cool moving bodies of water, like my creek. He told by burrowing underground and me that there were actually a few of his friends swimming in the creek near nearby, but they remained camouflaged my home. I ll be glad when I can enjoy my time because they were a little shyer than him. outside without being too hot. In addition to using camouflage to avoid We had a lovely summer rain shower recently predators, he told me that cricket frogs are so I decided to take an afternoon stroll by the also great jumpers. They are able to jump up creek near my house. I built my home near the to three feet or over 90 centimeters in a single creek because it is a great source of water, and jump even though they are one of the smallest there are lots of tasty insects around the water s frogs in Texas measuring just 19-38 millimeters edge. It s also a great place to meet new friends, long. Well, chirp, it s been nice chatting with because, like me, different types of wildlife are Northern Cricket Frog by Andy you, Nancy, but it s almost chirp nighttime, always stopping by to take a drink. I was almost Reago & Chrissy McClarren which means bedtime for a diurnal frog like to the edge of the water when I heard a cricket me. Chirp, it was great chatting with you and feel free to come chirping. My ears perked up right away because as an insectivore, by and visit me again. And with a final chirp, he dove towards I love to snack on tasty insects. I walked towards where the chirp the water and landed with a splash. Wow! He wasn t lying about was coming from and stuck my nose in the dirt to take a long his amazing jumping skills. Goodbye, Carlos, I hope to see you sniff. See, I have a great sense of smell which makes it s really easy again soon, I yelled after him. Now I know that next time I hear a for me to find tasty insect snacks. But, a funny thing happened... cricket s chirp down by the creek it might not be an insect at all. I didn t smell any crickets nearby. With my sense of smell acting What a great encounter! funny I decided to follow my ears instead until I found the mystery Until next time, imposter. Would you believe the chirp chirp sound was coming from a tiny frog sitting on the bank of the creek? As I approached the frog, he stopped chirping right away and sat very still. His camouflage is amazing, and I could barely tell the difference between him and the plants and rocks on the ground. Hello, my name is Nancy, I said. No need to be afraid. I eat bugs, not frogs. Chirp, chirp, hi, he said. My name is Carlos, chirp, Nancy Nine-band Attention Teachers: To receive a free one-year subscription, go to: http://www.texas-wildlife.org/program-areas/ subscribe-to-critter-connections Critter Connections is made possible by a grant from the San Antonio Livestock Exposition.
Join TWA Today! TWA is a membership-based, non-profit organization whose mission is to educate all people, especially the youth of Texas, about the conservation, management, and enhancement of wildlife and wildlife habitat on private land. All programs are made possible through memberships and grants or donations. Your consideration of support is most appreciated. Contact us to find out how we may help you incorporate wildlife and natural resources into your classroom! Most programs are free for teachers. For information on our educational programs, please contact us at 800-TEX-WILD (800-839-9453). Joining TWA is optional. Each membership helps support TWA programs but it is not required to participate in our programs. Join us at www.texas-wildlife.org Membership Levels: Life Member $2,400 President s Council $1,000+ Corporate $750 Active $150 Family $250 Online $35 Associate $75* Online Student $20 All members receive a one year subscription to our monthly magazine, Texas Wildlife. * If you are a teacher in the state of Texas please call the TWA office at 210-826-2904 to receive our educator rate. Label the Frog Life Cycle WORD BANK: frog tadpole egg froglet 2 Image Sheri Amsel, www.exploringnature.org
word searches... puzzles...mazes...oh my! go ahead... ACROSS 3. An adult frog is a which means it eats meat. 4. Tadpoles are eaters or herbivores. 5. Frogs need in their habitat to survive. 6. Frogs will shed their every few weeks. 7. Frogs and toads can into their environment with camouflage. 8. A is an amphibian with warty skin and short legs. 9. Frogs, toads, newts and salamanders are in the class or group. 10. The third state of a frog s lifecycle is the. 11. Frogs are hard to catch because their skin is. Frog Crossword Use the clues to then write the word into the boxes. DOWN 1. The second stage of a frog s lifecycle is the. 2. Frogs and toads go through changes in their life cycle known as. 4. Some frogs and toads are brightly colored letting predators know that they are. 10. A is an amphibian with smooth skin and long legs. Conservation Action Items Conserve water by turning off the tap when you are brushing your teeth. Participate in a trash clean-up day for your local river or water source. Minimize the use of pesticides. Reduce trash by using a reusable water bottle and lunchbox. Respect nature and its wildlife by not disturbing habitats. Participate in a local recycling program at school and at home. Write to your local government representatives encouraging them to help conserve wetlands and other amphibian habitats. give it a try! American Toad by Cephas 3
corner Bullfrog by Amalia Jonas c r Frogs & Toads i t t e r By Elanor Dean There are over 40 different species of frogs and toads in Texas. Frogs and toads are amphibians like salamanders and newts. Amphibians are ectothermic or cold-blooded. This means that they are unable to control their body temperature and must rely on heat from the environment. Amphibians also rely on other characteristics of their environment for survival. Amphibians are found near aquatic habitats or habitats that are close to a source of water. The word amphibian actually comes from a Greek word which means both kinds of life. This term describes their ability to live in water and on land. They have adaptations which allow Bullfrog by Cephas them to live in water and on land, but they need water in order to survive and complete their life cycle. Technically all toads are frogs, but there are some general differences between them. First, frogs are typically characterized by their smooth and moist skin, while toads have drier and warty or bumpy skin. Second, frogs generally have longer legs that they use to climb and jump further distances. Toads have shorter legs and spend more time moving around on the ground, crawling instead of hopping. Toads need water to survive, but they can live in drier habitats than frogs. Another difference between frogs and toads is the way they lay their eggs. Frogs lay eggs in groups or clusters, but toads will lay eggs in long strings. Aside from these main differences, many of the other characteristics of frogs and toads are the same. Frogs and toads go through special changes in their life cycle known as metamorphosis. It is known as the process by which frogs, and other things, such as insects, grow and change. The first stage in the frog life cycle is the egg. Frogs lay their eggs in water. Look at the photo of the frog eggs. The small black dot in the center of each egg is the developing frog. The clear jelly provides protection and support for the growing larva. The frog larva that hatch from Southern Leopard Frog eggs by Fredlyfish4 the eggs are known as tadpoles. Tadpoles need water in order to survive. Remember, water is one of the basic needs of all living things including tadpoles. They have special adaptations which allow them to live underwater. Tadpoles have adaptations such as a long, flat tail for swimming and gills which allow them to breathe. Tadpoles are American Toad tadpole by Brian Gratwicke primarily herbivores or plant eaters. At the end of the tadpole stage, their bodies change and they begin to look more like frogs. The third stage of the frog s life cycle is known as a froglet. As the tadpole changes into a froglet, its body will get bigger, it will begin to grow legs, and its tail will shrink. Soon, the froglet will not need a tail to move around American Toad froglet by Brian Gratwicke because it will walk with its legs on land. Frogs are most vulnerable to predators during this period of change. Predators are animals that hunt other animals for food. Their shortened tail means they cannot swim as fast, and their legs are not big enough to easily move on land, so a predator could easily catch them. As froglets grow into an adult frog, their gills get smaller and are replaced with lungs to breathe air outside of the water. The adult frog is the final stage of the life cycle. Eventually the female frog will lay eggs in the water and the life cycle will begin again. Unlike the larval or tadpole form, adult frogs do not eat plants. Instead, they are primarily meat-eaters, or carnivores, feeding on small invertebrates such as insects, snails and worms. Their stomach and digestive system actually changes during metamorphosis to adapt to this new way of eating. Insects are a American Toad by Brian Gratwicke common prey to frogs. Frogs catch their prey in different ways. Some frogs use their sticky tongues to catch prey, while others catch food with their large mouth and push it in with their front feet. Have you ever tried to catch a frog? If you did, then you probably noticed that frogs are difficult to hold on to because they are so slimy and slippery. Frogs produce a sticky substance on their skin which keeps it moist and slippery allowing them to escape from predators. Their skin must stay moist in order for them to breathe which is why they are usually found near water. Frogs shed their skin every few weeks in order to keep it fresh and healthy and then will eat it for its nutrient content. Some scientists think that they may also eat their skin to avoid getting stalked by predators. Frogs are great at jumping, swimming and even climbing depending on their habitat. Frogs that live near water habitats have special adaptations that help them swim. Their back legs are very powerful and muscular which allows them to jump long distances and propel themselves through the water. These frogs also have webbing in between their toes which makes swimming easier. Frogs that climb trees have special sticky pads on their toes which allow them to grip onto branches. Spadefoot toads spend a lot of time buried in the ground, so they have hardened structures on their front feet which help them dig. Even though they have great adaptations to move in their environment, sometimes they are not fast enough to escape from predators. Besides the adaptations which allow them to move, frogs have other adaptations which allow them to avoid or defend themselves from predators. Many frogs are plain in color or have spots which allow them to blend in or camouflage with their environment. If a predator gets too close, they will stay perfectly still and hope that they can avoid detection. Many species or types of frogs and toads can produce a poisonous substance in their skin which makes them taste bad and might even make a predator sick. The most poisonous frogs are often brightly colored which is a warning to stay away. Predators know that they should not eat these frogs, because they will get sick and maybe even die. Because they need water to Couch s Spadefoot Toad by Clinton & Charles Robertson survive, many amphibians cannot survive a period of drought, but some species of toad are able to hibernate through a drought. When the water dries up the spadefoot toad will dig and bury itself underground, surround itself with a layer of protective sticky mucus and stay safe underground until water returns to the area. Because frogs rely on habitats that are damp, or have a water source, it is important that there is enough clean water in their habitats for their survival. Water is a renewable resource which means that it is replenished naturally over time, but it must be conserved. Frogs live in the water for the first three stages of their life cycle. Brainstorm some ways that you can help conserve water and keep it clean for future generations Spring Peeper by Justin Meissen of frogs. Gray Treefrog by Agape Yojimbo Rio Grande Chirping Frog by Judy Gallagher
corner Bullfrog by Amalia Jonas c r Frogs & Toads i t t e r By Elanor Dean There are over 40 different species of frogs and toads in Texas. Frogs and toads are amphibians like salamanders and newts. Amphibians are ectothermic or cold-blooded. This means that they are unable to control their body temperature and must rely on heat from the environment. Amphibians also rely on other characteristics of their environment for survival. Amphibians are found near aquatic habitats or habitats that are close to a source of water. The word amphibian actually comes from a Greek word which means both kinds of life. This term describes their ability to live in water and on land. They have adaptations which allow Bullfrog by Cephas them to live in water and on land, but they need water in order to survive and complete their life cycle. Technically all toads are frogs, but there are some general differences between them. First, frogs are typically characterized by their smooth and moist skin, while toads have drier and warty or bumpy skin. Second, frogs generally have longer legs that they use to climb and jump further distances. Toads have shorter legs and spend more time moving around on the ground, crawling instead of hopping. Toads need water to survive, but they can live in drier habitats than frogs. Another difference between frogs and toads is the way they lay their eggs. Frogs lay eggs in groups or clusters, but toads will lay eggs in long strings. Aside from these main differences, many of the other characteristics of frogs and toads are the same. Frogs and toads go through special changes in their life cycle known as metamorphosis. It is known as the process by which frogs, and other things, such as insects, grow and change. The first stage in the frog life cycle is the egg. Frogs lay their eggs in water. Look at the photo of the frog eggs. The small black dot in the center of each egg is the developing frog. The clear jelly provides protection and support for the growing larva. The frog larva that hatch from Southern Leopard Frog eggs by Fredlyfish4 the eggs are known as tadpoles. Tadpoles need water in order to survive. Remember, water is one of the basic needs of all living things including tadpoles. They have special adaptations which allow them to live underwater. Tadpoles have adaptations such as a long, flat tail for swimming and gills which allow them to breathe. Tadpoles are American Toad tadpole by Brian Gratwicke primarily herbivores or plant eaters. At the end of the tadpole stage, their bodies change and they begin to look more like frogs. The third stage of the frog s life cycle is known as a froglet. As the tadpole changes into a froglet, its body will get bigger, it will begin to grow legs, and its tail will shrink. Soon, the froglet will not need a tail to move around American Toad froglet by Brian Gratwicke because it will walk with its legs on land. Frogs are most vulnerable to predators during this period of change. Predators are animals that hunt other animals for food. Their shortened tail means they cannot swim as fast, and their legs are not big enough to easily move on land, so a predator could easily catch them. As froglets grow into an adult frog, their gills get smaller and are replaced with lungs to breathe air outside of the water. The adult frog is the final stage of the life cycle. Eventually the female frog will lay eggs in the water and the life cycle will begin again. Unlike the larval or tadpole form, adult frogs do not eat plants. Instead, they are primarily meat-eaters, or carnivores, feeding on small invertebrates such as insects, snails and worms. Their stomach and digestive system actually changes during metamorphosis to adapt to this new way of eating. Insects are a American Toad by Brian Gratwicke common prey to frogs. Frogs catch their prey in different ways. Some frogs use their sticky tongues to catch prey, while others catch food with their large mouth and push it in with their front feet. Have you ever tried to catch a frog? If you did, then you probably noticed that frogs are difficult to hold on to because they are so slimy and slippery. Frogs produce a sticky substance on their skin which keeps it moist and slippery allowing them to escape from predators. Their skin must stay moist in order for them to breathe which is why they are usually found near water. Frogs shed their skin every few weeks in order to keep it fresh and healthy and then will eat it for its nutrient content. Some scientists think that they may also eat their skin to avoid getting stalked by predators. Frogs are great at jumping, swimming and even climbing depending on their habitat. Frogs that live near water habitats have special adaptations that help them swim. Their back legs are very powerful and muscular which allows them to jump long distances and propel themselves through the water. These frogs also have webbing in between their toes which makes swimming easier. Frogs that climb trees have special sticky pads on their toes which allow them to grip onto branches. Spadefoot toads spend a lot of time buried in the ground, so they have hardened structures on their front feet which help them dig. Even though they have great adaptations to move in their environment, sometimes they are not fast enough to escape from predators. Besides the adaptations which allow them to move, frogs have other adaptations which allow them to avoid or defend themselves from predators. Many frogs are plain in color or have spots which allow them to blend in or camouflage with their environment. If a predator gets too close, they will stay perfectly still and hope that they can avoid detection. Many species or types of frogs and toads can produce a poisonous substance in their skin which makes them taste bad and might even make a predator sick. The most poisonous frogs are often brightly colored which is a warning to stay away. Predators know that they should not eat these frogs, because they will get sick and maybe even die. Because they need water to Couch s Spadefoot Toad by Clinton & Charles Robertson survive, many amphibians cannot survive a period of drought, but some species of toad are able to hibernate through a drought. When the water dries up the spadefoot toad will dig and bury itself underground, surround itself with a layer of protective sticky mucus and stay safe underground until water returns to the area. Because frogs rely on habitats that are damp, or have a water source, it is important that there is enough clean water in their habitats for their survival. Water is a renewable resource which means that it is replenished naturally over time, but it must be conserved. Frogs live in the water for the first three stages of their life cycle. Brainstorm some ways that you can help conserve water and keep it clean for future generations Spring Peeper by Justin Meissen of frogs. Gray Treefrog by Agape Yojimbo Rio Grande Chirping Frog by Judy Gallagher
Did you know... that frogs breathe using their skin? that frogs don t drink water. Instead, they absorb it through their skin? that a group of frogs is called an army? that, like reptiles, frogs shed their skin about once a week and they usually eat it? that some frogs can jump 20 times their body length? Green Treefrog Photo by @ Clinton commons.wikimedia.org & Charles Robertson that frog bones form a new ring every year when the frog is hibernating, just like trees? that some frogs are able to survive drought by burrowing underground and hibernating? that some frogs are brightly colored as a warning to predators that they are poisonous? that all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads? Dot to Dot Frog Image Sheri Amsel, www.exploringnature.org Connect the dots starting at 1 and then color as you choose. Southern Leopard Fro by AllieKF 6
Texas Wildlife Association TWA HAS RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE - CLASSROOM TEACHERS, HOMESCHOOL TEACHERS, INFORMAL EDUCATORS AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, FACILITIES AND CAMPS! Discovery Trunks - Statewide Discovery Trunks are full of hands-on, program-enhancing, natural resource materials and lessons, geared for grades K-8. Seven (7) trunk topics are available in two-week reservation periods and are available at no cost! Designed for groups of 40 students or more. Reserve your Discovery Trunk online http://www. trunks.texas-wildlife.org/ Wildlife by Design - FREE presentations for grades K-8 brought to your location by a TWA Educator. Each program includes a hands-on, inquiry based lesson and activity, 30-60 minutes in length, for a group of 20-45 students, and can be repeated up to six (6) times that day. Presentations are available regionally. http://www.texaswildlife.org/program-areas/wildlife-by-design Critter Connections - An educational, interactive newsletter targeted for youth ages 13 and younger. Subscribe online for a free class set (25 copies) or an individual subscription (1 copy). All issues available for free online. Several issues also available in Spanish! Quantities limited. http://www.texas-wildlife.org/ resources/publications/category/critterconnections/ Educator and Volunteer Workshops & Trainings - Are you interested in including conservation, natural resources, and wildlife education in your classroom? Would you like to help advance natural resource literacy in your community? For more information go to: http:// www.texas-wildlife.org/ programs-areas/category/ educator-and-volunteerresources Distance Learning - Watch TWA s programs to spark your student s interest in wildlife and private land stewardship. Available as On-demand Webinars and via videoconferencing (also online). Programs are interactive, TEKS-aligned for grades 1-6, and free to view! http://www.texas-wildlife.org/program-areas/youth-videoconferencing Viewing On-demand Webinars: http://www.texas-wildlife.org/ programs-areas/youth-on-demand-webinars L.A.N.D.S. Intensive Program & Trinity River Project - With the L.A.N.D.S. Intensive program, schools and teachers have access to natural resource lessons, special presentations, field investigation days, and necropsies, as part of our Learning Across New Dimensions in Science (L.A.N.D.S.) youth stewardship initiative. Trinity River Project, Grades 4-5 L.A.N.D.S. Intensive Program Grades 7-12. http:// www.texas-wildlife.org/program-areas/learning-acrossnew-dimensions-in-science-l.a.n.d.s. 7 Viewing Videoconference programs: Visit www.connect2texas.net itunes U - TWA has collaborated with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to bring our On-demand Youth Webinars to the TEA page on itunes U. Previews of each On-demand Webinar and corresponding worksheet are now available right on your iphone or ipad. https://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/texaswildlife-association/id884228948 Follow us on:
Texas Wildlife Association presents... September 2017 Kid s Quarterly Mini-Mag! Vol. 11 No. 3 Postcards from Nancy... by Elanor Dean Hey there wildlife fans! and I am an insectivore too. Carlos and I chatted for a while, and Fall is just around the corner which means shorter days he told me that he is a cricket frog, which explains the chirping and cooler weather. I am super excited about the cricket sound I heard, but couldn t identify with my nose. new season because this summer has been very Cricket frogs are usually found in small groups near slowhot. I have spent a lot of time trying to stay cool moving bodies of water, like my creek. He told by burrowing underground and me that there were actually a few of his friends swimming in the creek near nearby, but they remained camouflaged my home. I ll be glad when I can enjoy my time because they were a little shyer than him. outside without being too hot. In addition to using camouflage to avoid We had a lovely summer rain shower recently predators, he told me that cricket frogs are so I decided to take an afternoon stroll by the also great jumpers. They are able to jump up creek near my house. I built my home near the to three feet or over 90 centimeters in a single creek because it is a great source of water, and jump even though they are one of the smallest there are lots of tasty insects around the water s frogs in Texas measuring just 19-38 millimeters edge. It s also a great place to meet new friends, long. Well, chirp, it s been nice chatting with because, like me, different types of wildlife are Northern Cricket Frog by Andy you, Nancy, but it s almost chirp nighttime, always stopping by to take a drink. I was almost Reago & Chrissy McClarren which means bedtime for a diurnal frog like to the edge of the water when I heard a cricket me. Chirp, it was great chatting with you and feel free to come chirping. My ears perked up right away because as an insectivore, by and visit me again. And with a final chirp, he dove towards I love to snack on tasty insects. I walked towards where the chirp the water and landed with a splash. Wow! He wasn t lying about was coming from and stuck my nose in the dirt to take a long his amazing jumping skills. Goodbye, Carlos, I hope to see you sniff. See, I have a great sense of smell which makes it s really easy again soon, I yelled after him. Now I know that next time I hear a for me to find tasty insect snacks. But, a funny thing happened... cricket s chirp down by the creek it might not be an insect at all. I didn t smell any crickets nearby. With my sense of smell acting What a great encounter! funny I decided to follow my ears instead until I found the mystery Until next time, imposter. Would you believe the chirp chirp sound was coming from a tiny frog sitting on the bank of the creek? As I approached the frog, he stopped chirping right away and sat very still. His camouflage is amazing, and I could barely tell the difference between him and the plants and rocks on the ground. Hello, my name is Nancy, I said. No need to be afraid. I eat bugs, not frogs. Chirp, chirp, hi, he said. My name is Carlos, chirp, Nancy Nine-band Attention Teachers: To receive a free one-year subscription, go to: http://www.texas-wildlife.org/program-areas/ subscribe-to-critter-connections Critter Connections is made possible by a grant from the San Antonio Livestock Exposition.