Endangered Species

Endangered Amphibians
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Endangered Amphibians

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.

Blue-Sided Tree Frog
The blue-sided tree frog has golden eyes, a green-blue back, blue sides and a pinkish underbelly.

California Tiger Salamander
The California tiger salamander is a dark, stocky amphibian with white or yellow spots and a broad, rounded snout.

Chinese Giant Salamander
Often growing to a length of 6 feet or more, they are among the largest amphibians in the world.

Corroboree Frog
The corroboree frog is found only in a narrow region of moss-covered bogs in the high-altitude forests of New South Wales, Australia.
Golden Poison Frog
The golden poison frog is found in the moist mountain forests of the Colombian Andes.

Goliath Frog
The aptly named Goliath frog is the world's largest frog species.

Panamanian Golden Frog
The Panamanian golden frog is bright yellow or orange with black markings and long limbs.

Western Leopard Toad
The western leopard toad is the largest South African toad.