Say cheese!

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Lindsay

Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

Cute Amphibian of the Week: December 31, 2012

The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), native to Mexico, is a salamander of variety; its skin can be either grey and dull or albino-like and fleshy. This species is native to the ancient system of water channels and lakes in Mexico City. This salamander is quite particular–it requires deep water lakes (both natural and artificial canals) with abundant aquatic vegetation. The axolotl should be renamed “Hoover,” since they can suck food into their stomachs with vacuum force, including their own species, should the desire arise.

Their most interesting feature, however is their healing ability, which allows them to regrow whole limbs through the generation of stem cells from the remaining cells left of the limb, making this species virtually “indestructible.” The desiccation and pollution of the canal system, as well as the traditional consumption of the species by locals, is threatening the survival of the axolotl. The species is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN.

Photo by Brian Gratwicke, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

Every week the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project posts a new photo of a cute frog from anywhere in the world with an interesting, fun and unique story to tell. Be sure to check back every Monday for the latest addition.

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/

How can dirt threaten a hellbender?

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Lindsay

Joseph Oak, a design student from Carnegie Mellon, made this short animation about hellbenders for SCBI’s salamander conservation program. We decided to ask him a few questions about why he chose salamanders.

Q: Why did you decide to make a video about hellbenders?
A: The main reason I chose the hellbender was because of the threat it was facing. While the hellbender salamander may not be my favorite animal, I felt that the effects of siltation upon the hellbender’s populations had as much to do with them as it did us.

Q: Do you have a specific interest in wildlife? In salamanders? How did that interest develop?
A: Wildlife has always been fascinating to me; however, I’m sorry to say that I’ve never taken a great interest. The use of video and media to make information accessible and issues known has long been a passion of mine.

Q: What role do you think photos, video and animation plays in conservation?
A: I think that media plays a large part in wildlife conservation. Much of my appreciation for wildlife comes from programs like National Geographic and the Discovery Channel. I also feel that the documentation of these animals is incredibly important when sadly species do go extinct. Photos and videos then become the only sort of record of these species and a poignant reminder of the tragedy of extinction.

—Lindsay Renick Mayer, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Feelin’ festive.

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Lindsay

Small tree frog (Rhacophorus lateralis)

Cute Frog of the Week: December 24, 2012

The small tree frog species sports its holiday cheer with its vibrant red and green coloration. However, this frog is as mysterious as Santa Claus himself. The species was discovered in the late 1800s, but it had not been seen until 2000 when a research team rediscovered it living in the Western Ghats region of India. Found only in tropical rainforests and deciduous forests of this region, this arboreal tree frog breeds on vegetation overhanging small pools where the tadpoles eventually develop. Researchers have noted that the small tree frog can change color within 5 seconds (bright brown and/or coffee-colored spots) when handled. Because of habitat loss, the species is currently registered as endangered by the IUCN.

Photo by Sunil Sachi M.J. via Arkive.

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/

What a “bewdy!”

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Lindsay

Northern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi)

Cute Frog of the Week: December 17, 2012

The striking Northern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) is only slightly different from the more common corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) in that its stripes are a greener shade of yellow and are also a little narrower. Found in the bogs within the northern Australian Alps of New South Wales, these frogs are a prized Australian amphibian species. In some areas, ‘corroboree’ is an aboriginal word for a gathering or meeting—where traditionally the attendees are adorned with yellow markings not unlike those of this rare frog. Sadly, this stunning species is registered as endangered by the IUCN. Their decline has been the result of chytrid, erosion, habitat loss and the introduction of plant species such as blackberry and monkey rusk that are destroying the frog’s breeding grounds.

Photo by Lydia Fucsko via Arkive.

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/

Saving Amphibians, One Chopstick at a Time.

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Lindsay

The motto for the conservation program for Chopsticks for Salamanders is BYOC: Bring Your Own Chopsticks!

What do have chopsticks and salamanders have in common? Not much, but the elimination of disposable chopsticks can help save salamanders from going extinct around the world. That is why National Zoo Reptile Discovery Center keeper, Lauren Augustine, has started the Chopsticks for Salamanders initiative with the aim of saving the dwindling habitat of these fascinating creatures.

Salamanders have always been a passion for Augustine, but when she learned of the extensive deforestation of their habitat, she decided she needed to take action.

“Salamanders are an understudied group of vertebrates and the deforestation for the production of chopsticks is unnecessary, especially with the plethora of reusable choices out there.”

Though chopsticks may not seem like a common utensil in American culture, their production is one of the leading causes of international deforestation and loss of critical amphibian habitat. Nearly one-third of the world’s amphibian species have been classified as threatened near extinction due, in part, to increasing run-off, rising ground temperatures, the disruption of vernal pools and other issues associated with deforestation. To stop the loss of critical amphibian habitat, the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) has chosen the salamander as the flagship species for their initiative against deforestation.

By using re-usable chopsticks, consumers take a stand for forest stewardship. Disposable chopsticks are typically made from old-growth forests that are clear cut in search for the perfect straight-grained wood used for chopsticks. A total of 3.8 million trees are produced annually in China for chopsticks. With recent tax hikes on Chinese chopsticks, the United States is now being targeted to become more open to disposable chopstick manufacturing. Historically, deforestation for chopstick production occurred in Canada, Minnesota and New Mexico. Today a company in Georgia is meeting this demand and business is doing so well, they’re considering expanding to other states such as Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan and Oregon.

Using reusable chopsticks can help reduce the amount of deforestation that is devastation to biodiversity and a major threat to salamanders. (Photo by Lauren Augustine, Smithsonian

With the demand for chopsticks escalating in Asia, the old growth forests in the Appalachian Mountain region could be targeted for deforestation, according to Augustine. The situation is critical for the 14 percent of the world’s salamander species and other wildlife that live in the region.

That is where the Chopsticks for Salamanders initiative comes in. Through the sale of reusable branded chopsticks and the distribution of information cards at AAZK chapter events, Augustine hopes to promote forest stewardship among the public and raise money for salamander education, conservation and research.

Three founding AAZK chapters (Greater Baltimore chapter, Bronx Zoo and National Zoo) have committed to helping disseminate information and sell chopsticks. So far, the initiative has raised more than $3,300 through the sale of chopsticks and donations, with $1,500 of those profits going directly to salamander research and conservation. With plans to expand to other AAZK chapters, the project can make a significant impact for salamander and forest conservation.

For more information on this project and how to purchase re-usable chopsticks, please go to www.chopsticksforsalamanders.org.

—Anne Goddard, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Just like Daredevil. Only cuter.

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Lindsay

Olm (Proteus anguinus)

Cute Amphibian of the Week: December 10, 2012

The olm (Proteus anguinus) native to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia and introduced in France, is unique because of its pigmentation, which resembles human skin. This species generally occurs in large subterranean aquatic karst systems formed in limestone and dolomite rocks, and may be found in cave entrances and abandoned mine workings. This salamander is the old man of the bunch having a maximum lifespan of over a century.

Just because it’s blind does not mean the olm is defenseless. With its super-hearing abilities the olm can receive sound waves in the water as well as vibrations from the ground. Interestingly enough, this salamander will never have to ask for directions; instead it uses the earth’s magnetic field to orient itself. The main threats to this species are changes to the forested and pastoral land above the subterranean systems, largely through tourism, economic changes, and increasing water pollution. At the current time the species is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.

Photo credit: AJ Cann

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/

Superhero Qualities in Frogs

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Lindsay

Frogs are helping researchers answer important questions about health and medicine.

In many Native American cultures, frogs are valued for their medicinal properties and are considered to have healing powers.

Modern day science certainly backs this up. For instance, most frogs produce skin secretions of amino acid compounds called peptides that protect their sensitive and porous skin from bacterial and fungal infections. The presence of these peptides even discourages predators, which find the peptides unappetizing. Scientists have discovered an Australian tree frog with peptides that can kill bacteria resistant to conventional antibiotics.

Poison from a South American poison dart frog is being analyzed for use as a painkiller. One such chemical is a painkiller 200 times as potent as morphine.

The gastric brooding frog swallowed their eggs and gave birth through their mouths. During this time, the frogs’ stomachs temporarily stopped producing hydrochloric acid. This condition could have provided insight on the treatment of stomach ulcers in humans; unfortunately, both species of brooding frog are believed to be extinct.

Frogs seem to have some pretty powerful superhero properties. Not only are they full of amazing traits that can be explored for medicinal purposes but they also help keep pest populations under control. Without frogs, our lives would be a lot different, and not in a good way. So show some love for our fellow frogs. They have our best interests at heart. We should do the same for them.

—Cindy Hoffman, Defenders of Wildlife

(Photo by Brian Gratwicke, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute)

If this were a staring contest, I win.

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Lindsay

Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus)

Cute Amphibian of the Week: December 3, 2012

The Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus), native to Japan, is the second largest salamander and can grow as large as five feet long. It lives and breeds in small to large rivers, preferring clear water, usually in forested areas. This species is characterized by its mottled appearance, tiny eyes, and warty skin making it seem more like the dinosaurs that have long been extinct. This salamander is definitely not a morning person–this species is purely nocturnal, meaning it is most active at night.

This species is the ultimate couch potato. Outside of the breeding season both males and females are largely sedentary. However, if attacked they will release a strong-smelling milky substance into the water with a smell resembling Japanese pepper, giving it the nickname “giant pepper fish.” This species is threatened by dam construction, the construction of artificial concrete riverbanks, and the alteration of river courses. At the current time the species is listed as near threatened by the IUCN.

Check out this Japanese giant salamander comic strip from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo!

Photo credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/

Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project

A project to save Panama's incredible frogs and salamanders

Monthly Archives: December 2012

Say cheese!

How can dirt threaten a hellbender?

Feelin’ festive.

What a “bewdy!”

Saving Amphibians, One Chopstick at a Time.

Just like Daredevil. Only cuter.

Superhero Qualities in Frogs

If this were a staring contest, I win.