Amphibians are facing a growing number of threats, from disease and pollution to habitat loss and the climate crisis. These challenges have made them one of the most vulnerable groups of animals on the planet.
What Are Amphibians?
Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates who spend their lives partially on land and partially in water. There are five different kinds of amphibians, including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and worm-like caecilians. Globally, there are 8,862 known amphibian species that can be found on every continent except Antarctica and new species continue to be discovered every year. Approximately 300 species are found in the U.S., where they’re estimated to be declining by almost 4% annually.
Threats to Amphibians
Amphibians are especially at risk during seasonal migrations, when they must travel, which often involves crossing roads to reach vernal pools and other breeding grounds. Their porous skin makes them highly susceptible to pollution, poor water quality, and habitat modification. It is crucial that we take action to mitigate human-caused threats, such as habitat destruction and fragmentation, and the exploitation of amphibians in trade and research.
According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 41% are threatened with extinction pointing to an urgent need to protect them. Not only are amphibians inherently valuable, they play important roles in their ecosystems, which range from rivers and ponds to streams, wetlands, rainforests, deserts, and mountains.
Habitat Destruction
Wetlands, forests, and other essential habitats are being drained, paved over, or polluted, leaving amphibians with fewer places to live and breed. Habitat fragmentation isolates populations, making it harder for amphibians to find mates and sustain their numbers.
Amphibian Migration & Road Mortality
Each year, amphibians migrate in large numbers to breeding sites, but many are killed while crossing roads. Wildlife corridors, road closures, and community rescue efforts can help reduce road mortality.
Animal Experimentation & Dissection
Frogs and other amphibians are used extensively in animal experiments and in teaching environments, often suffering in laboratories. Ethical alternatives, such as SynFrog and computer simulations of classroom dissections exist and should be implemented.
Diseases & Pollution
Chytrid fungus is a deadly fungal infection that has decimated amphibian populations worldwide. With its spread aided by the wildlife trade, it’s believed to have caused the extinction of at least 90 species of amphibians and declines in populations of dozens more. Ranavirus is another major disease affecting amphibians, often linked to human activities.
Pollution from pesticides, herbicides, and industrial runoff also poisons amphibians and their breeding waters.
Amphibians in the Wildlife Trade & Consumption
The legal and illegal wildlife trade poses a major threat to amphibians that puts their survival at risk by taking them from the wild and increasing the risk of spreading diseases. A study published in Nature found that from 1999 to 2021, the live amphibian trade into the U.S., largely from Asia and Latin America, totaled 85.82 million individuals, with 31.28 million having been taken from the wild, not counting even more imports of their legs and flesh.
Frogs are killed merely for their legs in some regions, driving population declines and harming ecosystems.
What YOU Can Do:
Protect Amphibian Habitats
Support wetland conservation efforts and oppose developments that destroy critical amphibian breeding areas.
Reduce Road Mortality
Volunteer for amphibian crossing programs or start your own by working with your community to protect migrating amphibians.
Help Create Frog-Friendly Habitats
Support your local amphibians by creating safe spaces in your garden or yard, such as small ponds, native plants, and sheltering spots.
Avoid Supporting Exploitation
Don’t buy amphibians as pets, for food, or for dissection; instead, encourage ethical alternatives in schools and for research.
Raise Awareness
Educate others about the threats amphibians face and advocate for policies that protect them.
