While they are highly adaptable, most true frogs stay close to freshwater sources like ponds, marshes, and streams. Their lifecycle is a classic example of metamorphosis. It begins with eggs laid in gelatinous clumps in the water, which hatch into herbivorous tadpoles. Over several weeks or months, these larvae develop lungs, grow legs, and eventually emerge as carnivorous adults. This dual life—splitting time between water and land—is what gives the class Amphibia its name, meaning "double life." Ecological Importance The word refers to members of the Ranidae

Ranids are characterized by their streamlined bodies and webbed feet, which make them exceptional swimmers. Most species possess dorsolateral folds—two ridges running down their backs—that help identify them. The family is incredibly diverse, ranging from the tiny wood frog ( Lithobates sylvaticus ), known for its ability to survive being partially frozen, to the massive American bullfrog ( Lithobates catesbeianus ), a voracious predator that can eat anything from insects to small birds. Habitat and Lifecycle Their lifecycle is a classic example of metamorphosis