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Frogs and Toads Identification Guide [Main]
In this section you will find out all about frogs and toads.
General Frog and Toad Links and Articles
Jolly Green Giant not set to Croak
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary vets have given big, fat Esmeralda a clean bill of health but many frogs are not so lucky by Renee Redmond
ESMERALDA is not your average green tree frog. She weighs 288 grams, measures 15cm and is estimated to be at least 23 years old! Her size and age make her a relatively rare sight in the wild and apart from her beauty and a naturally "happy face" - that smile seems to get broader whenever Esmeralda is fed - she is precious for a very important reason.
Amphibians like Esmeralda are widely regarded by scientists as the equivalent of canaries in a coalmine, since their highly permeable skin is sensitive to changes in the environment, including changes to fresh water and air quality. According to the science magazine Nature, a comprehensive study has found the world's amphibian species are under unprecedented assault and experiencing tens of thousands of years worth of extinctions in just a century. More that 500 scientists from over 60 nations contributed to the global amphibian assessment. Gold Coast (Australia) frog populations are dying from a deadly fungus that is devastating vulnerable species across the country and the world. The deadly chytrid fungus was first discovered in Australia near Brisbane in 1978 and within months had wiped out the first of many frog species. It affects more than 230 species of frogs and is believed to be responsible for eight extinctions in eastern Australia.
Esmeralda's good health is a good sign - at least in her local environment, but climate change and development are a threat. Yesterday, Esmeralda was getting a check-up at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary's Community Wildlife Hospital and veterinary nurse Mimi Dona said the unusually large and "geriatric" frog had survived only because the people she had lived with had kept an eye on her. "They treat her like a wild animals and are really careful not to use pesticides," she said. Belinda Leigh-Steele of Tallai said Esmeralda had started living in her back yard about eight years ago. "She's the biggest frog I'd ever seen", said Belinda. "I bought a vase about four year ago and broke it on the way home, so I put it outside in the garden and now Esmeralda lives in it". "We made her a pond with an old baking dish and some rocks too". said Belinda who takes Esmeralda to the community hospital when she notices any problems with her. Mimi said the hospital was free for wildlife animals but needed funding to be rebuilt. "We've only got about a quarter of the funds needed and we hope Gold Coast people and businesses can help support us". Mimi said the hospital treated about 30 animals a day. "Our aim is to care from them and release them with the help of the community and carers".
Websites
The Animal Files is intended to be an animal encyclopedia but includes worldwide animals and is not strictly Australian. A huge resourceful site and this is the link to the frogs section.
General Frog and Toad Links and Articles
Jolly Green Giant not set to Croak
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary vets have given big, fat Esmeralda a clean bill of health but many frogs are not so lucky by Renee Redmond
ESMERALDA is not your average green tree frog. She weighs 288 grams, measures 15cm and is estimated to be at least 23 years old! Her size and age make her a relatively rare sight in the wild and apart from her beauty and a naturally "happy face" - that smile seems to get broader whenever Esmeralda is fed - she is precious for a very important reason.
Amphibians like Esmeralda are widely regarded by scientists as the equivalent of canaries in a coalmine, since their highly permeable skin is sensitive to changes in the environment, including changes to fresh water and air quality. According to the science magazine Nature, a comprehensive study has found the world's amphibian species are under unprecedented assault and experiencing tens of thousands of years worth of extinctions in just a century. More that 500 scientists from over 60 nations contributed to the global amphibian assessment. Gold Coast (Australia) frog populations are dying from a deadly fungus that is devastating vulnerable species across the country and the world. The deadly chytrid fungus was first discovered in Australia near Brisbane in 1978 and within months had wiped out the first of many frog species. It affects more than 230 species of frogs and is believed to be responsible for eight extinctions in eastern Australia.
Esmeralda's good health is a good sign - at least in her local environment, but climate change and development are a threat. Yesterday, Esmeralda was getting a check-up at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary's Community Wildlife Hospital and veterinary nurse Mimi Dona said the unusually large and "geriatric" frog had survived only because the people she had lived with had kept an eye on her. "They treat her like a wild animals and are really careful not to use pesticides," she said. Belinda Leigh-Steele of Tallai said Esmeralda had started living in her back yard about eight years ago. "She's the biggest frog I'd ever seen", said Belinda. "I bought a vase about four year ago and broke it on the way home, so I put it outside in the garden and now Esmeralda lives in it". "We made her a pond with an old baking dish and some rocks too". said Belinda who takes Esmeralda to the community hospital when she notices any problems with her. Mimi said the hospital was free for wildlife animals but needed funding to be rebuilt. "We've only got about a quarter of the funds needed and we hope Gold Coast people and businesses can help support us". Mimi said the hospital treated about 30 animals a day. "Our aim is to care from them and release them with the help of the community and carers".
Websites
The Animal Files is intended to be an animal encyclopedia but includes worldwide animals and is not strictly Australian. A huge resourceful site and this is the link to the frogs section.
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Latest page update: made by LSmitheringale
, Aug 27 2009, 6:19 PM EDT
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