A Frog's Life: Metamorphosis

Toads and frogs are amphibians, and the word "amphibian" comes from Greek words meaning "double life." This refers to the fact that during a frog's life, it lives both in the water and on land -- one of the reasons we find amphibians so fascinating. The amazing change, or "metamorphosis" -- that happens in a frog's life follows this pattern:

1. In the spring, male frogs and toads move to watery breeding sites and start calling to attract females and, in some cases, to warn other males to keep away from their territories.

2. Once a male and female pair up, the male clasps the female in a piggyback position called amplexus, releasing his sperm as she releases her eggs. The eggs are fertilized outside the female's body.