Amphibians
All
About Amphibians
Amphibians are an ancient group of animals older
than the dinosaurs. The class includes frogs,
toads, salamanders, and caecilians. They were
the first vertebrates (animals with backbones)
to inhabit the land, but remained tied to water
in order to lay their eggs. Amphibian literally
means "two lives" which refers to the tendency
for most amphibians to have an aquatic larval
stage before metamorphosing into an adult form,
usually terrestrial. Amphibians usually have
lungs, but also have the ability to breathe
through their skin, which needs to stay moist,
further tying them to water. Some species have
returned to a fully aquatic life, such as newts
and sirens, but the vast majority of amphibians
spend their adult lives mostly on land. So far
there have been over 6,000 species of amphibians
described, with more being described every year.
However there is speculation that some species
will never be described as amphibians are facing
extinction at alarming rates and scientists may
not discover some new species in time.
Amphibians
in Georgia
The State of Georgia is home to 31 species of
frogs and toads alone. Georgia is home to a
great variety of fascinating amphibian species,
and species are still being discovered even near
urban areas. Georgia's varied habitats and many
wild places serve as ideal habitat for most
species of southeastern amphibians. Statesboro's
warm, wet springs and summers attract a great
deal of frogs and toads which delight residents
with a cacophony of calls, from the high
whistles of the Ornate Chorus Frog to the low,
booming Jug-o-rum call of the Bullfrog.
With recent species discoveries, Georgia has now
become the salamander capital of the world, home
to more species of salamanders than any other
place in the world, a whopping 51, including unusual lungless salamanders
and the largest salamander in America, the
bizarre and reclusive Hellbender, inhabiting
dark rivers and streams. The greatest risks to
Georgia amphibians are habitat destruction and
water contamination.
Amphibians
at Risk
Amphibians around the world are currently at
great risk. They are beset upon by many factors
that have set their numbers into a steep
decline. Habitat loss, pollution, global warming
and the onset of a deadly fungus has set many
species towards extinction. It is estimated that
of the 6,000 species currently identified, one
third of them are at risk of extinction in the
next few decades. Currently scientists have
identified 500 species of amphibians currently
threatened with extinction, including some
species in Georgia. Habitat loss and
fragmentation has caused many species to
dwindle, without enough territory, amphibians
cannot maintain large enough populations to
protect against changes in their environment,
such as rising temperatures and drought.
Pollution has also been a huge issue, as
amphibians can take in air and water through
their skin, any toxins in their environment are
quickly taken into their bodies. The greatest
risk recently has been the explosion of a fungus
worldwide that is fatal to amphibians, Chitryd.
This fungus is decimating many species of frogs,
and is extremely difficult to treat and prevent.
Scientist worldwide are working feverishly to
control it's spread, but new areas are being
affected at an alarming rate. The chytrid fungus
has even been found in Georgia.
There are many ways you can help though. If you
care about frogs and the ecosystems they are an
important part of, please consider aiding in
conservation. Here are a few ways you can help:
-
Learn
about legislation affecting amphibians and
the places they live and write your
congressman. Such legislation often involves
the harvesting of natural resources such as
timber, agriculture, and mining. Also know
about laws affecting the use and protection
of rivers, lakes and wetlands.
-
Take part
in the North American Amphibian Monitoring
Program by performing an amphibian call
survey. For more information, please visit
the USGS
NAAMP Website.
-
Do your
part to reduce pollution in wild areas and
waterways. Recycle, reduce your waste and
don't litter. While boating, ensure all
trash and chemicals remain in the boat and
are disposed of properly.
-
Practice
healthy gardening. Avoid toxic chemicals on
lawns and in gardens and know your
watershed. The water that drains off your
lawn and down the storm gutter may empty
into a local river or stream where
amphibians and other animals live.
-
Set up a
backyard habitat, provide clean water and a
frog house in your garden (an old broken
terra cotta pot is a great frog house!).
You'll benefit from the frogs and toads'
appetite for bugs!
-
Protect
local wetlands, a key habitat for many
amphibians. This is an especially important
issue locally.
-
Conserve
water at home and work.
Amphibians
at the Center
The Georgia Southern Center for Wildlife
Education houses a wide variety of both native
and exotic amphibians. In our main building
you'll discover twenty-four species of
amphibians, from the Southern Toad, a common
visitor to local gardens and lawns, to the
endangered Goliath Frog, the largest frog in the
world. Be delighted by the colors of our
Red-Eyed Tree Frogs and fire-bellied toads. Also
learn about our fascinating Splash-back and
Green and Black Dart Frogs, which in the wild
accumulate toxins from the insects they eat to
secret a powerful poison from their skin, making
sure these tiny frogs stay off the menu in their
jungle home.
In our Wildlife and Herpetology programs, get up
close and personal with several species of
amphibians and learn all about their biology,
ecological role and the challenges facing them.
Several of our amphibians are frequent stars in
our programs, including the huge and wrinkly
White's Tree Frog, the brightly colored and
toxic Tomato Frog, huge and colorful Eastern
Tiger Salamanders and a local cutie, the Grey's
Tree Frog. Our line-up is always changing, so
come back often to see what we have in store for
you!
