Toads
World’s Smallest Frogs Added to 2011’s List of Newly-Discovered Amphibians
Jan 2nd
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Two frog species recently discovered in southeastern New Guinea are smaller than any other 4-legged vertebrate. Within their pea-sized bodies, they pack a brain, lungs, heart, digestive system and most of the other organs that people have…simply astounding!
Tiny Frogs and Fish
The frogs, Paedophryne dekot and P. verrucosa, were collected several years ago, but were only described as new species this year (please see ZooKeys article). Among all the world’s vertebrates, only a single fish, a Southeast Asian relative of the carp (see amazing photo here) is smaller – and the new frogs exceed it in size by only 0.1 mm! Another contender for the title, a leaf-litter frog from Cuba (please see photo of striped frog), is only a tiny bit larger. More >
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Loading ...Multicolored Rainbow Toad, “Missing” since 1924, is Found in Borneo
Sep 14th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The Borneo Rainbow or Sambas Stream Toad, Ansonia latidisca, is known only from drawings made by its discoverer, and has not been seen in 87 years. Extensive development of its only known habitat has long raised fears of its extinction. This month (July, 2011), however, it became the second of the world’s “Ten Most Wanted” amphibians to be rediscovered.
“Ten Most Wanted”
In 2010, Conservation International launched the Global Search for Lost Amphibians (please see article below). Since then, several very rare frogs and salamanders have been found, but the tiny Borneo Rainbow Toad has remained elusive. In fact, only one of the 10 species granted highest priority (the Ten Most Wanted) had turned up – Ecuador’s Spotted Stubfoot Toad, Atelopus balios. However, a 3-month-long search of the Gung Penrisser Mountains in Sarawak, western Borneo, revealed that the Rainbow Toad is still with us. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Frog Reproduction Made Simple – Breeding Fire-Bellied Toads
Jul 22nd
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Although no frog can be classified as “easy” to breed in captivity, the Chinese or Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad, Bombina orientalis, is at least “reliable”. Two related species that appear in the trade, the European Fire-Bellied Toad, B. bombina and the Yellow-Bellied Toad, B. variegata, are also regularly bred by hobbyists.
The Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad is the most colorful and readily available of the 6 described species. Ranging from eastern Siberia to northeastern China and Korea, it makes a wonderful introduction to the fascinating world of amphibian reproduction. They are also among the most interesting anurans that one can keep – owners invariably describe them as “amusing”, and I must agree! More >
(0 rating, 2 votes) Loading ...Amphibian News – Rare Frogs Breed in Captivity, Lost Species Found
Jun 10th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Frogs and frog enthusiasts have much to celebrate these days. The endangered Lake Titicaca Frog, Telmatobius culeus, has reproduced in captivity, and 6 Haitian frogs, lost to science for decades, have been found.
Lake Titicaca’s Aquatic Giant
The huge, skin-breathing, cold-adapted Lake Titicaca Frog ranks as one of the world’s strangest amphibians. Known only from this lake, which straddles the Peru-Bolivia border at 12,500 feet above sea level, the unique creature is threatened by the food trade and pollution.
I had the good fortune to work with what was, at the time, the only Lake Titicaca Frogs in captivity. Despite nearly 2 decades of trials, I and my co-workers failed to raise the few tadpoles that were produced (please see article below). However, Peru’s Huachipa Zoo, in association with the Denver Zoo, has announced that 5 apparently healthy tadpoles are now being reared. A museum in Bolivia has been successful in breeding a close relative, the equally-rare Water Frog, Telmatobius hintoni. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Do Your Frogs or Toads Have Trouble Catching Insects?
May 31st
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I’ve recently observed several frogs and toads to develop difficulties in feeding (American Bullfrogs, Gray Treefrogs, Southern Leopard and Green Frogs; several readers have written to me concerning difficulties with American Toads). It starts with what looks like “bad aim” and progresses to the point where the frogs cannot catch insects at all and must be force-fed. I’ve looked into the problem and found that a Vitamin A deficiency, leading to Short Tongue Syndrome, may be involved (please see this article by Dr. Kevin Wright of the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital for details). I’d like to request that readers send me their own observations, so that we can learn more about this serious amphibian health problem. More >
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