Vanishing Golden Frogs: Find Out More
Introduction
Citizen science refers to research collaboration between scientists and citizen volunteers. Volunteers help scientists by collecting data and, at the same time, citizen volunteers gain access to scientific information that may affect their communities.
Use this sheet to help guide you as you use some online citizen science resources to research and learn more about frogs and toads in your area.
Wildlife Watch
1. Type of frog or toad
2. How big is an adult?
3. What is its shape and color?
4. What does it eat as an adult? As a tadpole?
5. What kind of conditions does it need to live as an adult? As a tadpole?
6. Take a picture of the frog or toad and add it below or draw it.
Help Protect Your Local Frogs
Check with a park ranger or someone in your local zoo whether local frogs are in danger. Then try to find out on your own whether they might be in danger from any of the usual suspects: habitat destruction, water pollution, or climate change.
Search for these clues:
- Signs of habitat destruction, such as bare eroded land that was once green fields or forests.
- Sources of water pollution, such as factories near rivers, streams, or lakes.
- Evidence of climate change. To dig up information about this clue, interview your parents and grandparents. Ask if they remember your local climate being warmer or cooler or dryer or wetter in the past.
If you discover any of these clues, brainstorm with your friends and family and plan ways you can help your local frogs. You also can go to the Save the Frogs website at http://savethefrogs.com/how-to-help/ to find ways you can help protect frogs.
Are frogs worth so much detective work and effort?
Definitely! Without frogs there would be lots more insects in the world eating our food crops and spreading diseases to plants, animals, and people.
