Frogs don t have external ears like you while they have an inner ear and middle ear like you their eardrum or tympanum is outside it s the circle you see behind their eyes

Frogs: An Unconventional Hearing Mechanism

Do frogs have ears? The answer might surprise you. Unlike humans, frogs don’t have external ears that protrude from the sides of their heads. Instead, their ears are quite different in structure and placement. While they possess an inner ear and middle ear, their eardrum, also known as the tympanum, is located externally. In fact, it can be observed as a small visible circle situated conveniently behind their eyes.

The Tympanum: An External Hearing Apparatus

The tympanum of a frog is a fascinating feature that sets their hearing mechanism apart from ours. This membrane acts as a crucial component in receiving and detecting sounds in their environment. While humans and many other animals have their eardrums inside their heads, frogs have evolved a unique adaptation.

Positioned on the side of a frog’s head, just below its eyes, the tympanum is a thin, flat circular membrane. It acts as a gatekeeper, capturing soundwaves and vibrating in response to external stimuli. These vibrations are then processed and transmitted further through the bones in the middle ear.

The Inner and Middle Ear Connection

Like humans, frogs possess both an inner ear and a middle ear. However, due to the external placement of their eardrum, the conduction of sound waves differs from the conventional mechanism we are accustomed to.

When soundwaves strike a frog’s tympanum, they cause the membrane to vibrate. These vibrations are then funneled through the middle ear to the inner ear. The middle ear bones, called the columella, transmit the vibrations to the oval window, which is connected to the cochlea. In the cochlea, specialized hair cells convert the vibrations into electrical signals that are then interpreted by the frog’s brain as sound.

Remarkable Adaptations in Amphibians

The unique external placement of the frog’s eardrum is just one example of the incredible adaptations found in amphibians. These adaptations allow frogs to thrive in various habitats, including aquatic and terrestrial environments.

By having their eardrums exposed, frogs can detect sounds and find mates even while submerged in water. The external location also enables them to amplify sound, enhancing their ability to catch prey and avoid predators.

Conclusion

Understanding the fascinating hearing mechanism of frogs sheds light on the incredible diversity of life on our planet. Through their external eardrums, these amphibians have developed an adaptive advantage that helps them survive and thrive in their respective habitats.

Source: Wikipedia: Tympanum (Anatomy)