Who said toads were ugly? If ever one of these much-maligned amphibians was destined to become a prince, then surely one of the stubfoots (or harlequins) from the genus Atelopus of South and Central America could be it, says Stuart Blackman. These startling creatures are every bit as eye-catching as the region’s more celebrated poison […]
Tag: amphibians
The barred owl’s westward migration threatens other species and a whole ecosystem
A new study of nearly 800 barred owls on the West Coast shows the invasive predator feeds on 29 species given special conservation status by federal and state governments. The list includes mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles, according to an analysis led by researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, who describe the wide-ranging pressure […]
Common toad is becoming uncommon in UK, study shows
They are an iconic part of Britain’s natural world, inspiring myths, fairytales and at least one of its most-loved children’s book characters. But the number of toads hopping through British grasslands, forests and gardens has almost halved in a generation. “Vast numbers of toads are being lost every year,” said Silviu Petrovan, a senior researcher […]
Three New Frog Species Discovered as Scientists Trek to Remote Peaks in the Andes Where No Roads Go
Three new types of frogs were discovered during off-road scientific expeditions in the remote cloud-shrouded peaks of the Andes. The secretive amphibians were found between 2021 and 2024 in the Cordillera de Huancabamba mountains of northern Peru—in forests and mountain trails with no road access. The species were recently confirmed and named, and each one […]
Decapitated dolphin found on remote island in North Carolina
Wildlife officials in North Carolina are offering a reward of $20,000 for information about the decapitation of a dolphin on a remote coastal island. The 8ft-long dolphin was initially found, intact, on Lea-Hutaff Island in the state by a member of the public. When staff from the marine mammal stranding team from the University of […]
Global Warming Has Already Made Natural Habitats Unsurvivable for 2% of Amphibians: Study
In a new study, researchers determined that 2%, or 104 amphibian species out of 5,203 species studied, are already experiencing overheating events in their natural habitats. The researchers considered different microhabitats of amphibians, including terrestrial, arboreal and aquatic and compared heat tolerance limits of the animals to the actual daily temperature patterns from the past […]
Scientists hope sequencing genome of tiny ‘functionally extinct’ frog could help save it
Scientists have sequenced the genome of the critically endangered southern corroboree frog – one of Australia’s most threatened amphibians – in hope that the information could be used to aid its recovery. The striking alpine frog, which has distinctive yellow and black markings, is so threatened by disease and the drying of its habitat due […]
It swims underwater, barks like a dog, has webbed feet and dives for its supper: Meet the peculiar cat that’s like no other
Fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) are one of the most unique and elusive wild cats in the world, renowned for their remarkable ability to hunt in water. Although they share similarities with other small cats, fishing cats have evolved a specialized skill set for fishing, making them stand out among their feline relatives. How big are […]