# Frogs in 3-D ![Painted frog models](/sites/g/files/omnuum10506/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/collectionsmcz/files/frogs_painted.jpg?itok=dz7_WgUX) *Some of the life-sized 3-D frog models used in this activity. (Photo: J. Peterson)*#### Why are frogs so diverse? While we often think of frogs as the small green or brown creatures we find in ponds, they are actually an astonishingly diverse group of animals. They range in size from less than an inch to more than a foot in length, can be almost any color, and can live in many different environments, including arid ones. Frogs also exhibit variety in life cycles; they may or may not lay their eggs in water, and species spend different lengths of time in the tadpole stage, with some species skipping this stage altogether. How did all this diversity arise? You will explore this question by looking at the physical characteristics of frogs shown in life-sized 3-D models of actual frogs drawn from the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology Herpetology Collection. After looking for traits that give frogs survival advantages in their environments, you will investigate the process through which these frogs came to have their particular forms. #### Teachers guide The comprehensive [Teachers Guide](https://docs.google.com/document/d/12mF2IKXkBfblDCtLYE63O-LECrbnGpwd02EuE4SZ85A/edit?usp=sharing) includes a detailed lesson plan, background information, key vocabulary, and additional resources. #### Student worksheets for download - Frog Head, Body, & Feet Shape Guide (without labels) [(pdf)](/file_url/171) - Frog Head, Body, & Feet Shape Guide (with labels) [(pdf)](/file_url/142) - Frog CER Organizer Worksheet [(pdf)](/file_url/144) #### [Frogs Research Guide](/frogs-detail) Includes detailed information on each of the frogs and links to more resources. #### Meet the frogs Sort Scientific nameCommon nameLink to 3-D ![Red-eyed Treefrog](/sites/g/files/omnuum10506/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/collectionsmcz/files/frog_model_a_callidryas_sml.jpg?itok=Bbz1W2pl) *Agalychnis callidryas* Red-eyed Treefrog [See in 3-D](/3d-frog-models#agalychnis) ![Mozambique Rain Frog](/sites/g/files/omnuum10506/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/collectionsmcz/files/frog_model_b_mossambicus_sml.jpg?itok=pd3BjRKe) *Breviceps mossambicus* Mozambique Rain Frog [See in 3-D](/3d-frog-models#brevisceps) ![Pacman Frog](/sites/g/files/omnuum10506/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/collectionsmcz/files/frog_model_c_cranwelli_sml.jpg?itok=jaDT1lS0) *Ceratophrys cranwelli* Pacman Frog [See in 3-D](/3d-frog-models#ceratophrys) ![Eleutherodactylus coqui](/sites/g/files/omnuum10506/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/collectionsmcz/files/frog_model_e_coqui_sml.jpg?itok=2a_NjExb) *Eleutherodactylus coqui* Common Coquí [See in 3-D](/3d-frog-models#eleutherodactylus) ![Hemisus guttatus](/sites/g/files/omnuum10506/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/collectionsmcz/files/frog_model_h_guttatus_sml.jpg?itok=Q5Yk6obo) *Hemisus guttatus* Spotted Snout-burrower, Spotted Shovelnose Frog [See in 3-D](/3d-frog-models#hemisus) ![Lepidobatrachus laevis](/sites/g/files/omnuum10506/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/collectionsmcz/files/frog_model_l_laevis_sml.jpg?itok=0j1ukpYf) *Lepidobatrachus laevis* Budgett's Frog [See in 3-D](/3d-frog-models#lepidobatrachus) ![Polypedates leucomystax](/sites/g/files/omnuum10506/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/collectionsmcz/files/frog_model_p_leucomystax_sml.jpg?itok=zEOGTsDH) *Polypedates leucomystax* Common Treefrog [See in 3-D](/3d-frog-models#polypedates) ![Rana berlandieri](/sites/g/files/omnuum10506/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/collectionsmcz/files/frog_model_r_berlandieri_sml.jpg?itok=AUC0H2I8) *Rana berlandieri* Rio Grande Leopard Frog [See in 3-D](/3d-frog-models#ranaberlandieri) ![Rana spinosa](/sites/g/files/omnuum10506/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/collectionsmcz/files/frog_model_r_spinosa_sml.jpg?itok=1rySS4Yo) *Rana spinosa* Giant Spiny Frog [See in 3-D](/3d-frog-models#ranaspinosa) ![Xenopus laevis](/sites/g/files/omnuum10506/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/collectionsmcz/files/frog_model_x_laevis_sml.jpg?itok=fSRtr4q9) *Xenopus laevis* African Clawed Frog [See in 3-D](/3d-frog-models#xenopus) #### Preparing your own 3-D models Mara Laslo and the project team selected 10 frogs from the thousands in the MCZ Herpetology Collection to scan and make 3-D models. If you have access to a 3-D printer, you can scan, print, and paint the frogs yourself. To print the 3-D models, you will need the source files used to duplicate the frogs in this collection. Here are links to the resources you'll need: - Download STL source files for the 3-D printer as a [zipped file](https://freud.alexgriswold.com/mcz/frog_models_stl.zip). - Instructions for painting the frogs using this [Frog Painting Guide](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1McsiI5y-Eq_HKp2Rmp5NqbROxpqRQPMV2760q-XOicM/edit?usp=sharing). Individual unpainted models may be purchased from [third-party vendors.](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16YTwa-j5K2LgeeVPhOvyPIZ3DT8XYJM81MQ26u4yNaM/edit?usp=sharing) ## Video resources For students and teachers, there are four videos used in this activity: #### Introduction to the MCZ Collections Professor James Hanken, Former Director of the MCZ, discusses the history and purpose of the Museum. (5 min.) #### Welcome to the Herpetology Collection José Rosado, Collection Manager of the Herpetology Department at the MCZ, describes the depth and importance of the collection, how new specimens are added, and how the collection is used. (5 min.) #### Frog Diversity and Natural Selection Mara Laslo, a researcher in the Herpetology Department, describes frog diversity, adaptation, and natural selection. (7 min.) #### How Natural Selection Influences Behavior Using the example of reproductive strategies as an example, Mara Laslo discusses frog behaviors that have evolved through natural selection. (6 min.)