How do frogs reproduce through amplexus?

Amplexus is the copulatory embrace used by many amphibians, including frogs and toads, to facilitate fertilization. During this process, the male climbs onto the back of the female and grasps her tightly with his front legs.12

The specific positioning of this embrace varies by evolutionary group:

• Inguinal Amplexus: In more primitive frogs, the male grasps the female around the waist.2
• Axillary Amplexus: In more advanced frogs (neobatrachians), the male shifts his position anteriorly to grasp the female under the armpits. This position brings the pair's cloacae into closer proximity, which is thought to ensure more efficient fertilization.2

As the female deposits her eggs, the male expels sperm to fertilize them externally. Depending on the species, this embrace can last for several days. In some specialized cases, such as with certain marsupial frogs or froth-nesting species, the male may use his hind feet to assist in positioning the eggs or creating a protective nest during the amplectic process.1345