Comments on: A Gentleman Frog That Takes Monogamy & Parenting Seriously

By: Lisette Root

Lisette Root — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:02:43 +0000

Frogs are some of my favorite people:)

By: jazzori

jazzori — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:25:21 +0000

CW, I remember a video from BBC that showed tadpoles feeding on eggs, so if not typical, at least not uncommon..

By: Alex O’Neal

Alex O’Neal — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:04:16 +0000

This is a little similar to the solution of the betta fish. Limited, low-oxygen water (large puddles or rice paddies) meant a fish that could breath air as well as water could succeed – but this also meant the children needed protecting. So the male betta not only builds a nest, he guards it, and replaces fry who fall out of it, until the fry can manage on their own.

He is not monogamous, however. In fact, his mate is in some danger once he’s gotten the eggs into the nest, since she’s viewed as a potential threat to them. Apparently monogamy works best when ~~the female can put some food on the table~~ (jk!) both sides can contribute

By: CW

CW — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:03:15 +0000

Very interesting, great story!

“The female frog stays behind, but is summoned to service by the male once a week for a few months; she hops to the tadpole-rearing pools to lay unfertilized eggs for the hungry tadpoles to eat.”

Is this typical? I’ve never heard of females feeding unfertilized eggs to their young.

By: Christina Viering

Christina Viering — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:24:11 +0000

What a beautiful frog!