Category Archives: Cute Frog of the Week

Next, to bend space and time.

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Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

Cute Amphibian of the Week: January, 28, 2013

The hellbender has the distinct honor of being the largest salamander in the United States, growing as large as two feet long. It can be found in rocky, clear creeks and rivers, usually where there are large rocks for shelter. Its mottled appearance allows the hellbender to almost perfectly blend into its surroundings, making it quite the crafty salamander. Despite its name, this species is not a fan of warm water and strictly avoids water with temperatures above 68 o Fahrenheit/20 o Celsius.

The principal threat to this species is habitat degradation since it is a habitat specialist with little tolerance of environmental change. While it may seem like the sensitive type, do not be fooled; this species knows how to defend itself when push comes to shove. Hellbenders produce skin secretions that are likely unpalatable to predators and lethal in mice. At the current time the species is listed as near threatened by the IUCN.

Follow the Smithsonian National Zoo’s hellbender work at http://www.salamanderscience.com/.

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/

Cuban Frog Crisis

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Oriente Mottled Frog (Eleutherodactylus simulans)

Oriente mottled frog (Eleutherodactylus simulans)

Cute Frog of the Week: January 21, 2013

The crisis facing this little Cuban native doesn’t involve missiles, but it does require immediate action to save this frog species from extinction. Characterized by its dark mottled brown pattern on its dorsal surface, the Oriente mottled frog (Eleutherodactylus simulans) blends well among the rocks, leaves and streambeds from which it is found. Recorded only in five small locations in Cuba, this terrestrial frog is currently classified as endangered by the IUCN. Due to habitat destruction from increasing deforestation within the country, the Oriente mottled frog population is clinging on to its existence.

Photo by Ariel Rodriguez via Arkive.

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/

Black-eyed beauty.

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Morelet's tree frog (Agalychnis moreletii)

Morelet's tree frog (Agalychnis moreletii)

Cute Frog of the Week: January 14, 2013

Also known as black-eyed leaf frogs, the Morelet’s tree frog is striking with its lime-green body, jet-black eyes, and vibrant orange underbelly. Found in moist, subtropical lowland rainforests and wetland habitats of Belize, Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, this small frog species thrives in pristine sub-tropical habitats with permanent bodies of water in which they can breed. During the summer months, they will breed and deposit clutches of 50 to 75 eggs on vegetation or rocks over water. When the eggs hatch, the larvae fall into the water to complete their development into frogs.

Sadly, the Morelet’s tree frog used to be abundant in Central America, but because of chytrid, the species is currently listed as critically endangered by the IUCN.

Photo by Victoria Ogilvy via Arkive.

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/

Caught red-handed.

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Riggenbach’s reed frog (Hyperolius riggenbachi)

Riggenbach’s reed frog (Hyperolius riggenbachi)

Cute Frog of the Week: January 7, 2013

The Riggenbach’s reed frog is distinct for its striking red fingers and leopard-like pattern. Native to Nigeria and Cameroon, this species is thriving in West African wetlands and montane grasslands. These terrestrial frogs call at dusk for mates from within stems of waterside plants. Females will then proceed to lay their eggs in still freshwater ponds. Due to habitat loss, this species is currently listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.

Photo by Vaclav Gvozdik via Arkive.

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/

Say cheese!

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Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

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/

Feelin’ festive.

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Small tree frog (Rhacophorus lateralis)

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.

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/

What a “bewdy!”

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Northern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi)

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.

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/

Just like Daredevil. Only cuter.

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Olm (Proteus anguinus)

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

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/

If this were a staring contest, I win.

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Japanese Giant Salamander

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

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/

I bet you can’t do this.

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California slender salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus)

California slender salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus)

Cute Amphibian of the Week: November 19, 2012

The California slender salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus), native to the United States, is known for its extremely long tail that allows it to wrap itself with its own tail giving it the appearance of a snake. Its bulgy eyes and bright coloration add to the charm of this small salamander. This species resides in grasslands with scattered trees, chaparral, woodlands and redwood forests. Perhaps one of its most fascinating features is the fact that it completely lacks lungs and breathes primarily through its skin.

Do not let this adorable salamander’s appearance fool you; this is one tough species that is able to tolerate considerable habitat alteration. When feeding, this species creates a pressure with its muscles, which allows it to dart its tongue and “shoot” its hyoid bone (neck bone) out of its mouth during this endeavor. Its most interesting features, however, are some of its defense mechanisms. It may drop its tail to avoid predation or even release an adhesive skin secretion, which can literally glue its predator’s mouth shut. At the current time the species is listed as least concern 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/