Frog Declines
WRITTEN BY D.KNIGHT
WRITTEN BY D.KNIGHT
For over 200 million years frogs have hopped, walked and stalked the planet.
Over the centuries they have evolved into some of the most beautiful and diverse creatures on earth.
But now, all their remarkable adaptations and survival tactics are failing them.
Recent studies show more than a third of all amphibians (mostly frogs and toads)
have already been lost, and more are disappearing every day.WHY???
Pollution, Pesticides, and Acid Rain
Frogs breath and drink through their skin, so pollution, pesticides, and acid rain have really devastating effects on them. Chemicals can interfere with a frog's natural ability to fight off diseases and infection. Considering how it's a bad idea to even handle frogs when you can avoid it, just imagine what chemicals spilled out of factories must do.
Depletion of our Ozone Layer
Increases in ultra-violet (UV) radiation as a result of the earth's thinning ozone layer may also have lethal affects on amphibians. Experiments in the laboratory and in the field have shown that UV radiation interferes with the development of eggs in some species. Increased UV levels may have even worse effects in higher elevations, where levels are already high.
Habitat destruction
Activities such as logging of forests has obvious and pretty bad effects on frogs. In some places the rainforests are in danger of being completely wiped out. Just think of all the different types of frogs that we still haven’t discovered that we'll never get to find if their habitat disappears.
Competition and Predators
Sometimes fish that aren't native to an area are introduced to new lakes. This can spell big trouble for local frogs, particularly in the case of so-called "sport-fish" which EAT all the tadpoles and can completely wipe out a frog population. Fish aren't the only threat though, non native frogs can pose toxic risks to native frogs, and some non natives are large enough to feed on native frogs.
Habitat destruction
Activities such as logging of forests and drainage of wetlands has obvious and pretty bad effects on amphibians: they get kicked out of their homes. In some places the rainforests are in danger of being completely wiped out! Just think of all the different types of frogs that we still haven’t discovered that we'll never get to find if their habitat disappears!
Chytridiomycosis
Chytrid fungus for short. This deadly fungus is suspected to have been responsible for the extinction of a great number of species in recent decades, it has been implicated in the extinction of 8 species in Australia and many, many more throughout Central America. Frogs susceptible to Chytrid fungus often die within 18-48 days after exposure but tadpoles can carry the fungus in their keratinised mouthparts but will not die from it.
How can you help
Don’t use pesticides
Don’t eat frogs legs
Don’t purchase wild caught amphibians as pets
Don’t have non-native fish in your ponds
Don’t buy bottled water
Turn off the tap
Use rechargeable batteries
Recycle and Re-use
Over the centuries they have evolved into some of the most beautiful and diverse creatures on earth.
But now, all their remarkable adaptations and survival tactics are failing them.
Recent studies show more than a third of all amphibians (mostly frogs and toads)
have already been lost, and more are disappearing every day.WHY???
Pollution, Pesticides, and Acid Rain
Frogs breath and drink through their skin, so pollution, pesticides, and acid rain have really devastating effects on them. Chemicals can interfere with a frog's natural ability to fight off diseases and infection. Considering how it's a bad idea to even handle frogs when you can avoid it, just imagine what chemicals spilled out of factories must do.
Depletion of our Ozone Layer
Increases in ultra-violet (UV) radiation as a result of the earth's thinning ozone layer may also have lethal affects on amphibians. Experiments in the laboratory and in the field have shown that UV radiation interferes with the development of eggs in some species. Increased UV levels may have even worse effects in higher elevations, where levels are already high.
Habitat destruction
Activities such as logging of forests has obvious and pretty bad effects on frogs. In some places the rainforests are in danger of being completely wiped out. Just think of all the different types of frogs that we still haven’t discovered that we'll never get to find if their habitat disappears.
Competition and Predators
Sometimes fish that aren't native to an area are introduced to new lakes. This can spell big trouble for local frogs, particularly in the case of so-called "sport-fish" which EAT all the tadpoles and can completely wipe out a frog population. Fish aren't the only threat though, non native frogs can pose toxic risks to native frogs, and some non natives are large enough to feed on native frogs.
Habitat destruction
Activities such as logging of forests and drainage of wetlands has obvious and pretty bad effects on amphibians: they get kicked out of their homes. In some places the rainforests are in danger of being completely wiped out! Just think of all the different types of frogs that we still haven’t discovered that we'll never get to find if their habitat disappears!
Chytridiomycosis
Chytrid fungus for short. This deadly fungus is suspected to have been responsible for the extinction of a great number of species in recent decades, it has been implicated in the extinction of 8 species in Australia and many, many more throughout Central America. Frogs susceptible to Chytrid fungus often die within 18-48 days after exposure but tadpoles can carry the fungus in their keratinised mouthparts but will not die from it.
How can you help
Don’t use pesticides
Don’t eat frogs legs
Don’t purchase wild caught amphibians as pets
Don’t have non-native fish in your ponds
Don’t buy bottled water
Turn off the tap
Use rechargeable batteries
Recycle and Re-use
For more information please visit
www.savethefrogs.com
www.houstonzoo.org/amphibiansamphibianrescue.org
www.froglife.org
www.cramphibian.com
www.savethefrogs.com
www.houstonzoo.org/amphibiansamphibianrescue.org
www.froglife.org
www.cramphibian.com