Let’s celebrate World Frog Day with five fun and fascinating fast facts about frogs, a chat with some froggy scientists, Dr Jodi Rowley and Dr Rebecca Webb, and a gooey chia seed frog spawn activity for you to try yourself at home.

Presented by Jenny Lynch and Matilda. Written and produced by Jenny Lynch. Music by Purple Planet Music. Sound effects by Pixabay.

Image: Green Tree Frog Litoria caerulea (Photo credit: Dr Jodi Rowley)

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Episode content:

00:00 Introduction and fast facts

03:33 Interview with Dr Jodi Rowley

11:19 Interview with Dr Rebecca Webb

14:51 Chia seed frog spawn activity

FrogID citizen science project led by Dr Jodi Rowley at the Australian Museum: https://www.frogid.net.au/

Dr Rebecca Webb at the University of Melbourne: https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/962839-rebecca-webb

Chia seed frog spawn activity

You will need: cold water, a measuring cup, a tablespoon, 2 tablespoons of black chia seeds, and a spoon for stirring. Chia seeds are small seeds that you might be able to buy at a supermarket, a fruit and vegetable shop, or a health food store.

1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
2. Add half a cup of cold water to the measuring cup.
3. Add two tablespoons of black chia seeds to the water.
4. Stir the mixture and leave it to sit for about 5 minutes.
5. Stir it again and then leave the mixture to cool down in the fridge for 2 hours.
6. After 2 hours, take it out of the fridge and stir the mixture one more time.
7. Make sure your hands are clean before picking up the mixture to play with it.

When you take it out of the fridge, you will have a cup of gooey chia seed frog spawn.

You can also try adding honey or maple syrup to the chia seed mixture to make a tasty snack!

What’s happening?

Chia seeds are the seeds of the plant Salvia hispanica which is native to Mexico and Guatemala. When the seeds are mixed with water, a slimy coating forms to protect the seeds until they have time to grow. The slimy coating on the seeds looks a lot like the gooey jelly in frog spawn that protects frog’s eggs until they are ready to hatch.