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| Frogs can be found almost everywhere - from the steamy tropics to subarctic regions. They live in ponds, streams, trees, and underground on every continent except Antarctica. |
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| In deserts, frogs bury themselves underground in protective cocoons and emerge only when it rains. Up near the Arctic Circle, frogs will also bury themselves. |
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| Frogs are incredibly diverse in size, shape and color. Some are hard to find because they blend in with moss or decaying leaves. Others are brightly colored and usually poisonous, advertising their vivid colors as a danger to predators. |
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| Scientists believe more than 1/3 of frog species are threatened with extinction and more than 100 types of frogs are feared to have become extinct in just the last few decades. |
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| Just as miners used sensitive canaries to warn them of toxic gases in the mines, frogs are warning us of unsafe environmental conditions. Frogs have thin skin that helps them drink and breathe, but also makes them vulnerable to environmental contaminants, like agricultural, industrial and pharmaceutical chemicals. With frogs disappearing around the world, researchers fear that this could be a sign of an unhealthy planet. |
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| Frogs and their relatives provide vital biomedicines, including compounds that are being refined for analgesics, antibiotics, stimulants for heart attack victims, and treatments for diverse diseases including depression, stroke, seizures, Alzheimer's and cancer. One day, a frog may save your life, but only if you help save them today. |
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| Frogs consume A LOT of insects, some of which are dangerous to humans and the food we eat. For example, green tree frogs eat mosquitoes which are carriers of many harmful diseases. In turn, these frogs are eaten by fish, snakes, birds and other animals. In areas of the world where frogs have declined, there are more insect pests that damage crops and carry diseases. |
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| Researchers believe Earth is facing the single largest mass extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs. |
| It's not the fault of the frog if it becomes invasive. It's the fault of people. Global travel is common and occasionally foreign invasive species get shipped to other parts of the world by accident or by purpose. |
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| Evidence suggests that the chytrid fungus problem originated from people buying African clawed frogs (a common species readily available as pets) and releasing them into non-native areas. Never release pets into the wild. The environmental consequences of such actions are enormously destructive. |
| Be pet wise. Look into adopting a traditional pet from a shelter before purchasing an exotic species. |
| Find out what plants and animals are invasive in your area and work to rid your communities of these threats. |
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| Ever heard of chytridiomycosis? Not many people have, yet it's a major fungal disease threatening frogs and other amphibians everywhere it spreads. When this fungus strikes, up to 80% of frogs and their relatives in the region are gone within a year. There is nothing known that can stop this lethal fungus and researchers believe that at least half of the world's 6,000 amphibians are at risk. |
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| From rescuing endangered animals to protecting habitats vital to the survival of frogs and other species, the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund is dedicated to preserving the wondrous diversity of our planet. |
| Just by visiting SeaWorld today, you have helped save species and protect precious places. |
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| Frogs are vulnerable to human activities like pollution, habitat destruction, invasive species and overuse of resources. To insure their survival in the wild, the Amphibian Ark plan is to rescue and protect frogs in a captive environment until they can safely be released. Through education, breeding programs and research, zoological parks like SeaWorld hope to stabilize frog populations around the world. |
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| Be frog-friendly by providing clean water, native plants and hiding places |
| Don't pollute - keep trash, chemicals and non-native animals out of the natural environment |
| Conserve water at home, school and work |
| Get organized with recycling programs and waterway cleanups |
| Be responsible pet owners |
| Look, listen and learn more about frogs at AZA.org |
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| Be Smart. Read more about frogs and share what you learn with family, friends and classmates. |
| Be a Good Neighbor. Just like us, frogs need a clean, safe place to live and play. Invite frogs into your backyard by creating homes for them. Find out how at NWF.org. |
| Be Kind. Frogs are your friends! They eat bugs that can hurt us and the food we eat. Treat them with respect. |
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