The life cycle of a frog typically goes through several stages:
1. **Egg Stage:** The life cycle begins with the laying of frog eggs in water, often in clusters or masses. These eggs are covered in a jelly-like substance to protect them from predators.
2. **Tadpole Stage:** From the eggs, tadpoles hatch. Tadpoles are aquatic and have gills for breathing underwater. They feed on aquatic plants and detritus.
3. **Metamorphosis:** As tadpoles grow, they undergo a process called metamorphosis. During this stage, they develop legs, lose their gills, and develop lungs. Their tails, which they used for swimming, also get reabsorbed.
4. **Young Frog (Froglet) Stage:** The tadpole turns into a young frog, also known as a froglet. It looks like a miniature version of an adult frog but still has a tail. It continues to live in or near the water.
5. **Adult Frog Stage:** The froglet eventually completes metamorphosis by absorbing its tail. It becomes an adult frog, capable of life both in and out of the water. Adult frogs typically have lungs for breathing air and strong, muscular hind legs for jumping.
Frogs reproduce by laying eggs in water because their eggs and tadpoles are aquatic, and water is necessary for their development. The specific timing and duration of these stages can vary among different frog species, but the general sequence remains the same.