African Clawed Frog – These bizarre frogs look like they have been flattened in a traffic accident. They stand upright underwater with forearms outstretched and wait for food. When a fish swims near the frog, it opens its mouth, causing an inrush of water. It uses its front legs to stuff the prey down its throat.
Photos by HNG
By H. Nelson Goodson
September 30, 2010
Milwaukee - The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) announced the opening of its Frogs "A Chorus of Colors" in October. There will be 17 species of live frogs in self-contained custom habitats complete with live plants, rock ledges and waterfalls on display. The habitat displays provide lighting, humidity, temperature and water quality control for the frogs. The live habitat exhibit at the MPM runs from from October 1st through January 2, 2011.
Among the frogs that will be at the museum are the most beautiful tiny colorful green, blue, yellow and purple dart poison frogs, which are considered the most poisonous in the Americas. Its secretion can kill 20,000 mice and at least 10 humans. Their sizes range between an inch to less than two inches.
Dart Poison Frogs from the rainforests of the Americas come in a dizzying array of colors and patterns. Some are used by native tribes to poison the tips of blowdarts for hunting. Skin secretions of dart frogs are also being studied by scientists for potential medical use.
In May, the Amphibian Ark Organization reported that 165 number of amphibian species are believed to have already gone extinct, including 39 known to be extinct or extinct in the wild but still survives in captivity, and 130 not found in recent years and possibly extinct.
Statistics: 30% (1,895): of 6,285 amphibian species assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), are threatened extinction. 6% (382) known to be Near Threatened and 25% (1,597) are Data Deficient; ~3,900 species are in trouble.
Scientists claim that frog die-offs is a result of human activity, and the major causes for the decline is habitat destruction, introduced species, chemical pollution, climate changes, over-collection and epidemic diseases. Deformed frogs have been found in the U.S. since 1996. In 44 states, frogs found exhibited extra or missing eyes, legs, and toes. Scientists suspect parasites, pollution and ultraviolet radiation caused the anomalies in frogs.
A major cause for the global extinction of frogs is attributed to amphibian chytrid fungus. The fungus infects the frog skin, causing cell layers to thicken, and interferes by blocking respiration and water regulation in the frogs system. The fungus disease is believed to have originated in South Africa and spread to other parts the world in clawed frogs, which were used in the 1930's for human prenancy tests.
Costly antifungal procedures exists in helping to remove the deadly chytrid fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis from frogs, but continued research is needed to combat the fungus sickening frogs in the wild around the globe.
Today, Zoo's remained about the only option to treat frogs with the deadly fungus in the short term and to keep hundreds of frog species from extinction. Until adequate conservation measures to secure wild populations can be developed. One third to one half of all amphibian species are threatened with extinction, with probably more than 120 already gone in recent years, according to Amphibian Ark Organization.
Scientists consider frogs as the early warning ecosystems for our environment. The importance about frogs is their role as environment indicators. When pollution or other environmental changes affect a habitat, frogs are the often the first casualties.
In a year, frogs consume billions of insects making them economically valuable to agriculture. They also provide a critical food source for birds, fish, snakes, and other wild life.
Next time you see a frog in the wild or habitat, admire it for its value and contribution in helping our environment stay safe and livable.
Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile
Photos by HNG
By H. Nelson Goodson
September 30, 2010
Milwaukee - The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) announced the opening of its Frogs "A Chorus of Colors" in October. There will be 17 species of live frogs in self-contained custom habitats complete with live plants, rock ledges and waterfalls on display. The habitat displays provide lighting, humidity, temperature and water quality control for the frogs. The live habitat exhibit at the MPM runs from from October 1st through January 2, 2011.
Among the frogs that will be at the museum are the most beautiful tiny colorful green, blue, yellow and purple dart poison frogs, which are considered the most poisonous in the Americas. Its secretion can kill 20,000 mice and at least 10 humans. Their sizes range between an inch to less than two inches.
Dart Poison Frogs from the rainforests of the Americas come in a dizzying array of colors and patterns. Some are used by native tribes to poison the tips of blowdarts for hunting. Skin secretions of dart frogs are also being studied by scientists for potential medical use.
In May, the Amphibian Ark Organization reported that 165 number of amphibian species are believed to have already gone extinct, including 39 known to be extinct or extinct in the wild but still survives in captivity, and 130 not found in recent years and possibly extinct.
Statistics: 30% (1,895): of 6,285 amphibian species assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), are threatened extinction. 6% (382) known to be Near Threatened and 25% (1,597) are Data Deficient; ~3,900 species are in trouble.
Scientists claim that frog die-offs is a result of human activity, and the major causes for the decline is habitat destruction, introduced species, chemical pollution, climate changes, over-collection and epidemic diseases. Deformed frogs have been found in the U.S. since 1996. In 44 states, frogs found exhibited extra or missing eyes, legs, and toes. Scientists suspect parasites, pollution and ultraviolet radiation caused the anomalies in frogs.
A major cause for the global extinction of frogs is attributed to amphibian chytrid fungus. The fungus infects the frog skin, causing cell layers to thicken, and interferes by blocking respiration and water regulation in the frogs system. The fungus disease is believed to have originated in South Africa and spread to other parts the world in clawed frogs, which were used in the 1930's for human prenancy tests.
Costly antifungal procedures exists in helping to remove the deadly chytrid fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis from frogs, but continued research is needed to combat the fungus sickening frogs in the wild around the globe.
Today, Zoo's remained about the only option to treat frogs with the deadly fungus in the short term and to keep hundreds of frog species from extinction. Until adequate conservation measures to secure wild populations can be developed. One third to one half of all amphibian species are threatened with extinction, with probably more than 120 already gone in recent years, according to Amphibian Ark Organization.
Scientists consider frogs as the early warning ecosystems for our environment. The importance about frogs is their role as environment indicators. When pollution or other environmental changes affect a habitat, frogs are the often the first casualties.
In a year, frogs consume billions of insects making them economically valuable to agriculture. They also provide a critical food source for birds, fish, snakes, and other wild life.
Next time you see a frog in the wild or habitat, admire it for its value and contribution in helping our environment stay safe and livable.
Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile
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