Frog/Toad Intelligence - what do you think?

[findiviglio]

Vision in Xenopus seems to be of little use. The eye is used mainly for protective arousal - that is, when a large object moves rapidly above the water, frogs that have been hanging at the water surface dive to the bottom to hide. This reaction helps protect them from birds, which are their primary predator. It is interesting that this reaction is restricted to objects above the frog. There is little or no reaction if an object passes along side the frog. Clawed frogs can identify objects in the air when it is underwater. It appears that fully grown frogs have some method (yet to be determined) to compensate for refraction.

Concerning some other unusual frog behavior. When I worked at the zoo, I found that many species of frogs preferred a "hot spot" to bask. It seems to be more common with toads. Among the clawed frogs, Xenopus (Silurana) tropicalis, for example, will often leave the water to bask.

According to Elephandt, Xenopus is able to learn various tasks. They also demonstrate long-term memory and several forms of complex learning - they are capable of learning rules in its environment.

Yes, Michael, Xenopus are smart

Thanks very much...you are only the second person I've run across, over many years, to have obs basking in a relative! Re refraction correction, I've worked with archer fish and was always amazed at their abilities in this regard. They even aimed at keeper's eyes, and never missed! Best, Frank

[tgampper]

Thanks very much...you are only the second person I've run across, over many years, to have obs basking in a relative! Re refraction correction, I've worked with archer fish and was always amazed at their abilities in this regard. They even aimed at keeper's eyes, and never missed! Best, Frank

It really surprised me about the basking. I wouldn't have believed it, if I didn't see it with my own eyes

[findiviglio]

It really surprised me about the basking. I wouldn't have believed it, if I didn't see it with my own eyes

Same here, re the basking - the Bx Zoo curator and my co-workers never did quite believe me! Thanks for the note on their calls; I set up an exhibit for the Maritime Aq in CT, and the keepers there were interested in following up on that; budget and all is always a problem, but I'm hoping they will do some work on it. I've seen the males stiffen and "shimmy" when grasped by another male as well, not sure if I've heard the release call..best, Frank