Mixophyes is a genus of large ground-dwelling frogs from eastern Australia and New Guinea. They are commonly known as barred river frogs or barred frogs due to the distinctive dark cross-bars on their arms and legs, and their association with flowing streams. “At present, Mixophyes comprises seven species from eastern Australia and a single southern […]
Tag: frog
Frog Populations Are Declining Worldwide With Alarming Number Of Extinctions In Past Two Decades
Frogs have been on Earth for millions of years, but many are now listed as endangered. The last two decades have taken quite a toll on the amphibians. AmphibiaWeb states, “nearly 168 species are believed to have gone extinct and at least 2,469 (43%) more have populations that are declining.” They are an important part […]
9 Reasons Why You Should Consider Getting a Reptile as a Pet
Do you want a pet that is low-maintenance, interesting, and cute? If so, then you should consider getting a reptile! Reptiles make great pets for people of all ages, and there are many different types to choose from. Here are nine reasons why you should consider getting a reptile as a pet, including tips on […]
Tiny new tree frog species found in rewilded Costa Rican nature reserve
Nestled in a valley between two volcanoes, Donald Varela-Soto heard something unfamiliar. For six months, he searched for the source of a shrill frog call along the edge of a wetland in Tapir Valley Nature Reserve, a former cattle ranch in northern Costa Rica. “I kept hearing this different sound in the wetland but was […]
Frogs are the “canary in the coalmine,” suffering first when the environment is toxic
As humans encroach on frogs’ territory, tadpoling has become extinct in many suburban waterways. There is, however, a technique to entice them back: frog motels. Frogs, according to Australian Museum herpetologist Dr Jodi Rowley, are the “canary in the coalmine,” suffering first when the environment is toxic. “Most frog species – not all, but most […]
Amazon frog highlights appropriation of Indigenous knowledge for commercial gain
The Amazonian giant leaf frog, or kambô (Phyllomedusa bicolor) has bulging eyes and bright green skin, and despite its name, is actually quite small. It’s perhaps best known for its skin secretion, a mucous substance with medicinal properties that several Amazonian Indigenous groups have used for centuries — and which is also attracting the attention […]
Study: Breeding adaptations help tree frogs thrive in different climates
COLOMBO — Amphibians evolved from a fish ancestor that had functional lungs and bony lobed fins, which helped them become the first vertebrates to conquer land. Keeping these earlier trails, today’s frogs and toads also have larvae with gills that need an aquatic environment until they transform into air-breathing adults. But this unique feature hasn’t […]
80 critically endangered spotted tree frogs are jumping back into the wild in New South Wales
80 critically endangered spotted tree frogs are leaping back into the wild in NSW two years after the 2019-20 summer bushfires nearly wiped out the species. “Despite all the challenges this species has suffered, releasing these 80 spotted tree frogs back into the wild is a reminder to have optimism about the conservation work we’re […]