Frog Eyes
Part of the Frogs: A Chorus of Colors exhibition.
Part of the Frogs: A Chorus of Colors exhibition.
(he) "wears yet a precious jewel in his head" - William Shakespeare
Frog eyes come in a stunning range of colors and patterns. Most frogs see well only at a distance, but they have excellent night vision and are very sensitive to movement. The bulging eyes of most frogs allow them to see in front, to the sides, and partially behind them. When a frog swallows food, it pulls its eyes down into the roof of its mouth. The eyes help push the food down its throat.
Each eye positioned atop the head gives frogs a field of vision of almost 180 degrees. This peripheral vision helps them spot predators and prey.
Humans and other mammals focus images by changing the shape of the lens. Like a camera lens, frog eyes focus by moving the lens back and forth.