Where are all the Frogs?
Ok…I have to admit here that frogs don’t give me that warm/fuzzy feeling that most animals do. Of course there’s a long story in this but I won’t go there. And, I further confess to spending a fair amount of time in the summer dodging frogs and toads whenever possible. There’s just something about the moist slap-smurrge sound when they land on our patio…..and then there’s all that unpredictable JUMPING!
But…I’m really beginning to miss the little buggers! With only 2 frogs and 3 toads making an appearance this year I am concerned enough to investigate. Found a wealth of info on the global frog crisis at Save the Frogs.
Photo courtesy of Sun Catcher Photos
Startling headline from the STF website: “Frog populations have been declining worldwide at unprecedented rates, and nearly one-third of the world’s 6,317 amphibian species are threatened with extinction. At least 100 species have completely disappeared since 1980, and this is NOT normal: amphibians naturally go extinct at a rate of only about one species every 250 years!!!”
These little guys are in real trouble and desperately need our help…here’s HOW!
Now for some Frog Fun! If you live on the west coast you’re just a hop and a half away from the world renowned jumping frog competition at the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee. The 2008 champion was a frog named Skeeter Eater from Fresno, CA. The winning jump was an amazing 19 feet 3 ½ inches with Skeeter capturing the title for the second year in a row!
“Skeeter Eater” - Photo by Greg Kristapovich
Until next time…
A newly aspiring frog lover!