Frogs and Toads

Many people greatly enjoy the sound of frogs calling on a spring or summer night. In some places, people even gather together to listen to frog choruses. Some people eat frogs, especially frog legs, and occasionally tadpoles. Frogs are also popular as pets. Perhaps more importantly, some frogs have chemicals in their skin that are helping to treat human medical conditions. In addition, scientists are watching frog populations very closely, because frogs can help them tell whether the environment is healthy. A population that suddenly disappears from a pond, for example, may be a warning sign that the water is polluted.