What's so important about frogs? Find out after the jump.
Frogs are an integral part of the food web and are bioindicators; their permeable skin, which allows them to absorb both water and oxygen directly from the environment, makes them "canaries in the coal mine" signaling damage to the environment. Frogs eat ticks, mosquitoes, and other disease vectors. Frogs are used in medicinal research that benefits humans.
Threats to frogs include habitat destruction, pollution, pesticides and herbicides (particularly atrazine, which has been banned in Europe), global warming, infectious diseases spread by humans, overharvesting for the food and pet trades, and invasive species.
In an effort to raise awareness about the plight of amphibians, Save The Frogs Day was established 4 years ago. It is the world's largest day of amphibian education and conservation action. Events are being held in 30 countries around the world. Although no RI-based events are scheduled this year, the University of Connecticut Herpetological Society and the Animal Behavior and Herpetology Lab will be celebrating Save the Frogs Day at UConn. The event will be free and open to students and general public, with Connecticut froggies and salamanders on display. The event will take place at the University Campus in Fairfield Way on Saturday April 28th, 2012 (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.).
For cool frog facts and to learn more about how to help save frogs, visit SaveTheFrogs.com.
