Page 62 - Amphibian

Rare and endangered

Many species of amphibians are rarely seen because they are secretive,
like burrowing frogs, or because their natural habitats are inaccessible.
MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD
Others are seldom found outside a small geographical area. Although This 2,000-year-old Chinese gold
amphibians new to science are still being discovered at the rate of 15 to 25 frog is valuable, but when a species
disappears, it is gone forever!
species a year, many others are becoming rarer due to global warming, low
water levels, pollution, acid rain, and the destruction of their habitats, such
as the cutting down of rain forests or the filling in of ponds. Preserving
natural habitats (pp. 62–63) is the most
important step in preventing
these fascinating
animals from
becoming
extinct.

Cream
throat
and belly

Pair of tomato frogs from
Madagascar, an island Tomato color,
off the southeast coast which can range
of Africa from deep red to
THE WORLD’S pale orange
MOST POISONOUS FROG
The bright yellow Phyllobates NEVER UPSET A SKUNK!
terribilis, first described as new to science in Skunks have an unpleasant defensive
1978, deserves its name. This poison- behavior. If provoked, they spray a
dart frog, which looks similar rotten-smelling liquid from glands at
to Phyllobates bicolor, is the base of the tail. The skunk frog
so poisonous that it (below) produces
could possibly its foul smell
kill a person. from its skin,
which exudes
a thick mucus.

Skin, when
touched,
produces evil A BAD SMELL IN
smell and THE FOREST
thick mucus The Venezuela skunk frog
was described as new to
science in 1991. It is the largest
member of the poison-dart frog
family (pp. 56–57), but its claim to fame
rests on the very unpleasant odor that
it gives off if it is in
The poisonous danger. Like its name-
Phyllobates terribilis sake (above), the skunk
was discovered in Venezuela frog uses its odor for defense,
Colombia skunk frog to drive away its enemies.
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