Year of the Frog

Croaking, peeping, hopping, leaping!  Frogs and other amphibians add brilliant colors and countless sounds to our world.  Scientists have discovered over 6,000 different species of frogs, toads, salamanders and other amphibians.

But these amazing animals are disappearing.  Over one third of amphibian species could go extinct in our lifetime.

Habitat loss, global climate change and pollution are some of the major threats to amphibians. One immediate threat is a potentially deadly parasitic fungus called amphibian chytrid (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) that is spreading through amphibian populations worldwide.

Zoos and aquariums around the world are working to establish captive breeding populations of threatened amphibians. Simultaneously, scientists are working to understand and lessen the threats to these charismatic creatures.

Visit the BioPark to learn more about amphibians and their conservation:

 

• Visit the Herpetarium any time the Zoo is open to see a variety of amphibians, including black and blue dart frogs, barred tiger salamanders, Oriental fire-bellied newt, central newt, greater siren, dwarf Surinam toad and African groove-crowned bullfrogs!

 

Woodhouse Toad (Bufo woodhousii)

Photo by Dave Karrmann

Visit these websites to learn more and find out how you can help amphibians!

• Amphibian Ark

• Association of Zoos and Aquariums
• AmphibiaWeb
• Frog Watch