Expert: Walter Hintz - 10/18/2005

Question
Hello:
I am researching for an exhibit, how a dead frog will decay in different environments and the likelihood of it becoming a fossil.

Under natural circumstances, will a frog's body, laying in a muddy riverbed, be bloated at any stage of its decomposition?  

Answer
Bloating would depend upon the presence of gas forming bacteria and it is likely it would bloat.  However these bacteria are aerobic so if there is not much oxygen present the frog would most likely mummify.  The fossilization process takes a very long time.