Courting
“Before an animal can reproduce it must first find a partner” (a-z animals, 2015a, para. 5). Some species of frogs may court for a while before finding the perfect other with which to mate. Some frogs will mate for a lifetime and others just mate momentarily and, when the process is over, they leave (a-z animals, 2015a). In some cases, male frogs may stay around to watch over the eggs (Cleave, 1999). Male frogs compete in a competition during the stage of courtship. They may become aggressive and start jostling with other males, to gain favor by a female frog. The most common way for a frog to compete for attention is to become vocal to attract the female frogs (Cleave, 1999).
Breeding
Breeding is the time in a frog’s life right after courtship, where they have found a mate and begin the process to reproduce. “Reproduction is the most fundamental part of life for any living species as it allows that species to multiply and evolve” (a-z animals, 2015a, para. 6). Without the reproductive stage in a frog’s life, there would be no new generations, causing short numbers and a possibility for them to become prey to larger animals or larger group.
Spring is the most popular time for frogs to breed and lay eggs. Frogs lay eggs either in lakes, ponds or sometimes in puddles (a-z animals, 2015a). The spring weather makes it ideal for the frogs just coming out winter hibernation and getting ready for a new season in the warm climate. As winter fades away, the waters rise and “there is the prospect of warmer weather ahead to speed the development of the tadpoles” (Cleave, 1999, p. 35). The changes in the climate cause a hormonal changing within the frogs that makes spring time a more prevalent time for a breeding season. The different changes in the frogs may differ from physical to behavioral. Behavioral changes are mostly that of the male frogs competing for a female mate (Cleave, 1999). Physical changes include in male frogs, sperm production and in female frogs egg production. Another physical change is that a female frog may become fatter, which is due to the production of eggs in her ovaries (Cleave, 1999; National Wildlife Federation, 2015). Male frogs also undergo a change in color which is helpful in the courtship process (Cleave, 1999). Another change for male frogs is the production of a nuptial pad on their hands. A nuptial pad is a thickened structure on the hands that enable them to grip the slippery backs of the females during spawning.