Some frogs can move on the surface of water like they are on land. They use a funny method to do this.
Instead of hopping like a skipped stone, these frogs make belly flops into the water. They sink a little, then push up quickly before going under. It is a surprising way to go from one place to another.
“Skittering” is a word used for this behavior. In 1949, a naturalist used it to describe how frogs move on water. Now, many scientists use this word, too,” says Talia Weiss, an engineer from Virginia Tech.
“We want to study this movement in cricket frogs and define ‘skittering’ better.”
The northern cricket frog (Acris crepitans) can do this. Researchers used high-speed cameras to see how these frogs jump on land and water.
When they jump, the frogs briefly go under the water. This movement is like how dolphins jump. The frogs seem to skip but are actually doing multiple jumps.
More research may help us learn why only some frogs move this way.
Vocabulary List:
- Skittering /ˈskɪtə.rɪŋ/ (noun): A rapid light movement often skimming over a surface.
- Naturalist /ˈnætʃ.ər.əl.ɪst/ (noun): A person who studies or is an expert in natural history especially a biologist.
- Movement /ˈmuːv.mənt/ (noun): An act of changing physical location or position.
- Researchers /rɪˈsɜːr.tʃərz/ (noun): People who conduct studies to discover new information.
- Behavior /bɪˈheɪ.vjər/ (noun): The way in which one acts or conducts oneself especially towards others.
- Surprising /sərˈpraɪ.zɪŋ/ (adjective): Causing a feeling of wonder or astonishment.
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