Page 64 - Amphibian

Conservation YOUNG
NATURALIST
Caring young
naturalists
help to save
amphibians,
The problems people cause by destroying by raising
HELPING HAND habitats – for example, cutting down rain tadpoles
Madagascan tomato frogs are from frog
endangered. They have been forests, filling in natural ponds, taking water spawn and
bred in captivity successfully, from rivers for industrial use, acid rain releasing
so if wild populations become them into
extinct, they will still survive. pollution, global warming, and lowering garden
the levels of fresh water – all threaten ponds.
amphibian survival. People must change their attitude to the
environment and wildlife. Like all animals, amphibians have a right
to live undisturbed in their natural habitats. Conserving natural
habitats and creating places for amphibians in gardens and parks
will help ensure their continued survival. Studying amphibians and
informing people about them help their conservation and
show how important frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, and
caecilians are in the beautiful natural world around us.

DOING TOO WELL! POND
Introducing foreign species into a country PREDATOR
can be harmful – they may compete with Dragonfly larvae
the native amphibians. In 1935, the are found in ponds and streams.
marine toad was introduced into They are greedy predators and eat frog
Australia to control the cane beetle tadpoles and smaller newt larvae using their
infecting the sugar cane. This toad extended jaws. They should not be introduced
has bred so successfully that it has into small ponds that contain amphibian larvae.
become a serious pest in coastal
areas of Queensland and northern
New South Wales.

Frog
tadpole

Pond snail keeps
water free of too
much algae

Tadpole feeding on a Newt larva feeds
small piece of meat – on water fleas
it also eats boiled
lettuce leaves

Water
boatman
Newt larva
develops front
A TANGLE OF TADPOLES
Raising tadpoles from frog legs first; frogs
spawn and seeing them transform into small adults is Waterweed develop hind
fascinating. Sensitive to pollution and acid rain in fresh water, provides oxygen to legs first
tadpoles are good indicators of change in the environment. keep pond water fresh

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