Conservation biologists tend to think of amphibians as environmental "canaries in the coal mine." When an ecosystem begins to tip out of balance, amphibians are generally the first to be affected. When frogs and salamanders begin to die en masse, it means that widescale ecological devastation may be under way.

More amphibian species are under threat than any single animal group, a wopping 1,811 species according to the IUCN. This accounts for around 31 percent of all known amphibians. Habitat loss and pollution appear to be the major causes.

[About the IUCN and USFWS.]

CALIFORNIA TIGER SALAMANDER IUCN Status: Vulnerable USFWS Status: Endangered Major Threats: Habitat loss and predation by non-native species

CHINESE GIANT SALAMANDER IUCN Status: Critically Endangered USFWS Status: Endangered Major Threats: Collection by humans, environmental pollution and loss of habitat

WESTERN LEOPARD TOAD IUCN Status: Endangered Major Threats: Habitat loss and frequent collisions with vehicles

BLUE-SIDED TREE FROG IUCN Status: Endangered Major Threats: Pollution, loss of habitat and collection by humans

CALIFORNIA GIANT SALAMANDER IUCN Status: Critically Endangered USFWS Status: Endangered Major Threats: Collection by humans, environmental pollution and loss of habitat

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