Panamaian Golden Frog Essay
The Panamanian Golden Frog (Atelopus zeteki)
The Panamanian Golden Frog is a small brightly-colored frog found in Panama. Its
numbers are rapidly decreasing and the species has been listed as critically
endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Characteristics:
The natural habitat of this species is thecrain forests located near freshwater
streams. The frogs are insectivores, their diet mostly consisting of various small
invertebrates of their habitat. The males measure about 1.5 to 2 inches and the
females about 2 to 3 inches. The males weigh around 0.1 to 0.4 ounces, the
females around 0.14 to 0.5 ounces. There is no conclusive answer to their
lifespan, but in captivity they live for around 5 years …show more content…
It first
affected the western parts of Panama, now it seems to be spreading eastward,
putting the golden frogs at severe risk. The population of the species at El Copé
took a massive hit due to this disease over the course of just few months in late
2004 iucn. Apart from that, collection of the frogs for local zoos and hotels …show more content…
Loss of habitat owing to large scale deforestation for agricultural
and other purposes is also causing problems. The golden frog is the natonal
animal of Panama. It is sometimes collected for tourism purposes and also for pet
trade. Though minor, these causes also threat the survival of the frog. Besides,
the general threats to animal which persist all over the world like use of pesticides
and fertilizers and pollutants are also applicable in this case.
Conservation:
Conservation of this endangered species is underway at various levels. The
species protected in Panama by national legislation decree No. 3 of January 30,
1967.3 The Panamanian Government is working with various zoos in North
America for conservation projects. Zoos across North America are attempting
captive breeding of the species. In the year 2003, San Diego Zoo received 20
golden frogs and since have had 500 hatches in captivity. But the zoo does not
release the frogs in their natural habitats, for fear of the disease still persists and
no cure has so far been found. Until any such cure is found captive breeding is the
only way for the survival of the species.4 The Amphibian
The Panamanian Golden Frog is a small brightly-colored frog found in Panama. Its
numbers are rapidly decreasing and the species has been listed as critically
endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Characteristics:
The natural habitat of this species is thecrain forests located near freshwater
streams. The frogs are insectivores, their diet mostly consisting of various small
invertebrates of their habitat. The males measure about 1.5 to 2 inches and the
females about 2 to 3 inches. The males weigh around 0.1 to 0.4 ounces, the
females around 0.14 to 0.5 ounces. There is no conclusive answer to their
lifespan, but in captivity they live for around 5 years …show more content…
It first
affected the western parts of Panama, now it seems to be spreading eastward,
putting the golden frogs at severe risk. The population of the species at El Copé
took a massive hit due to this disease over the course of just few months in late
2004 iucn. Apart from that, collection of the frogs for local zoos and hotels …show more content…
Loss of habitat owing to large scale deforestation for agricultural
and other purposes is also causing problems. The golden frog is the natonal
animal of Panama. It is sometimes collected for tourism purposes and also for pet
trade. Though minor, these causes also threat the survival of the frog. Besides,
the general threats to animal which persist all over the world like use of pesticides
and fertilizers and pollutants are also applicable in this case.
Conservation:
Conservation of this endangered species is underway at various levels. The
species protected in Panama by national legislation decree No. 3 of January 30,
1967.3 The Panamanian Government is working with various zoos in North
America for conservation projects. Zoos across North America are attempting
captive breeding of the species. In the year 2003, San Diego Zoo received 20
golden frogs and since have had 500 hatches in captivity. But the zoo does not
release the frogs in their natural habitats, for fear of the disease still persists and
no cure has so far been found. Until any such cure is found captive breeding is the
only way for the survival of the species.4 The Amphibian