Frog Jumping Day

Frog Jumping Day is a fun day to jump like a frog.

National Jumping Frog Day is on May 13th, and we have the history behind how the day started. While the name itself may seem rather vague, its origins come from Mark Twain's first published short story about a bet man and his pet frog. Did you know that there are about 7,300 species of frogs around the world and which one are the most colorful and the most poisonous? National Jumping Frog Day is important because it brings literature to life, as well as raising awareness about the different types of frogs and their impact in our ecosystems.

Some facts about Frog

• Self-watered

Frogs do not need to drink water because they absorb water through their skin.

• Lord of Leaps

With a single jump, some frogs can jump up to 20 times their body length.

• Frog Goliath

West Africa has the largest species of frog, aptly named the goliath frog, which is one foot long.

• Golden but deadly

The skin of a golden dart frog can kill at least 1,000 people.

• Classical view

Although amphibians have different shaped pupils, they can only see black or white.

History of National Frog Jumping Day

The history behind National Frog Jumping Day has become a living tradition from the idea of ​​a short story. Mark twain, one of the most famous and popular authors in literature published his first short story entitled “The Famous Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” in 1865. It was also written by Mr. Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog and The Notorious Jumping Frog Calaveras County Frog. The premise of the story is about a man named Jim Smiley, who is better at compulsion. He trains a lovely frog named Dan'l Webster and bets his frog can jump higher than all the other frogs in town. The man on whom he bet ended up tricking Smiley and winning the bet.

Inspired by this story, Calaveras County in Northern California began hosting the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Week during the third week of May. The first event was held in Copperopolis, California in 1893 but since then it has been its permanent residence at Angels Camp. The fair lasts four days and offers classic fair food, award-winning wines, carnival games, rodeo and live music, among more, but their main event is a frog-jumping contest. A frog named Rosie the Ribeter has held the record for jumping 21 feet, 5 ¾ inches since 1986. Although there are other frogs jumping competitions throughout various cities in North America, the competition in Calaveras is the most popular contest and is best known for its relationship to Mark Twain's short stories. This day allows people to celebrate the agility of frogs and embrace literature in a new and exciting way.

How to celebrate National Frog Jumping Day

• Organize a frog jumping contest

Do you have or know anyone who keeps pet frogs? Gather them all together to enter a friendly frog contest. If not, you and your friends can have a contest to see who can jump the farthest.

• Refer a short story of author Mark Twain

If you want to learn more about how this day was born, why not read the short story that started it all! It must be good if it causes an annual holy year.

• Visit a nearby pond or aquarium

Research frogs in their natural habitat at a nearby pond or visit a local aquarium and read up on some frog facts. You may learn something new.