How Frogs Breathe and Drink Through Their Skin

11/10/2025 26 min
How Frogs Breathe and Drink Through Their Skin

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Episode Synopsis

The source, an excerpt titled "Amphibian Ingenuity: Frog Skin Respiration and Hydration," provides a comprehensive overview of the multifunctional nature of frog skin. It explains that the skin, which is thin, permeable, and highly specialized, enables frogs to perform cutaneous respiration by exchanging gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide directly with the environment. Furthermore, the text details cutaneous water absorption, explaining that frogs absorb water through a highly vascularized area called the pelvic patch, relying on osmosis to maintain hydration instead of drinking orally. Finally, the source discusses the ecological significance of these adaptations, noting that while they allow frogs to thrive in diverse habitats, their permeable skin also makes them extremely vulnerable to environmental pollutants and habitat changes.