How does a frog get ready to jump?

Have you ever jumped over a puddle? Think of the cool splash you hoped to miss under your shoes. Your feet left the ground, and up you went!

Down by the pond, a little green frog sits on a rock. It sits very still and quiet. Frogs are great jumpers. So how does a frog get ready to jump?

First, the frog looks for a place to land. Its big round eyes sit high on top of its head. From up there, the frog can spot a lily pad far ahead. The frog watches the water and picks its spot.

Next, the frog turns its whole body toward that lily pad. Its nose now points right at it. The frog takes aim, which means pointing its body at the spot it wants to reach. A good aim helps the frog land right on the lily pad.

Now let's look at the frog's back legs. They are long and strong, much longer than its front legs. These long back legs are what the frog gets ready next.

With its aim set, the frog drops into a crouch, which means bending down low with its legs folded tight. Its soft tummy dips close to the rock. What do you think those folded legs will do next?

Whoosh, they push! The frog snaps its folded back legs straight against the rock. Folded tight, the legs have a long way to stretch, so the push is big. Out of its crouch, the frog shoots up toward the lily pad it took aim at.

A frog gets ready by taking aim at a spot, then folding into a crouch. Its long back legs are then set to push.

Now the little green frog sits on its lily pad, still and quiet. Its big round eyes look out across the pond.