Frogs Absorb Water

Article Link:

• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110929171705.htm

Similar Links:

• http://press.uchicago.edu/pressReleases/2011/September/AN_1109_TreeFrogs.html
• www.nature.com/nature/journal/v477/n7365/full/477372a.htmlbamboozoo.weebly.com/frogs-whites-tree-frog.html

Researchers form Charles Darwin University found out how Australian green tree frogs survive the dry season. Tree frogs tend plop themselves down outside on cool nights when in the dry season. When the frogs go back to their dens, liquid forms on their cold skin. The scientists found that frogs can absorb this moisture through their skin, which keeps them from drying out it a season with no rain. "Every once in a while, we would find frogs sitting on a stick under the open sky, on nights when it was so cold they could barely move," said Dr. Chris Tracy. "It was a real puzzle."

Using real frogs dens and pipes, the scientist conducted experiments to see if frogs can absorb enough moisture through condensation to match what they lost when being in the cold.The results showed that frogs can use condensation to stay hydrated during a dry season. In Austria, where there is little rain from June to August Tarcy says, "When there's no water available, even a small amount can mean the difference between surviving the dry season or not."

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• Science is collaborative
• Science is based on evidence
• Role of credibility
• Role of motive and curiosity