From Goliath to Micro: The Fascinating World of Extreme Frog Species

The goliath frog of West Africa holds the title of the world’s largest frog, with some specimens reaching up to 15 inches in length and weighing as much as 7 pounds. Male frogs boast a distinctive feature – vocal sacs, which are pouches of skin that fill with air and produce sounds that resonate like a megaphone. These powerful calls can be heard from miles away.

On the other end of the spectrum is the Paedophryne amauensis frog from eastern Papua New Guinea, measuring just 7mm (0.27 inches) long and holding the record for the smallest frog in the world. Many poisonous frogs, such as the golden poison frog and dyeing poison frog, have bright colors to warn predators of their toxic skins.

In contrast to these two extremes, the wood frog has an adaptation that allows it to survive in extremely cold environments like those found in the Arctic circle. This remarkable creature can live with up to 65% of its body frozen thanks to glucose in its blood acting as antifreeze that protects its vital organs from damage. This adaptation enables the wood frog to endure freezing temperatures for extended periods.