Ribbit. Ribbit.
Around the world, frog croaks are getting rarer. Scientists say frogs and other species are disappearing.
study plant and animal numbers. Experts agree that the world is in a mass event. That means many species are disappearing. The last time a mass extinction happened was 66 million years ago. That’s when the dinosaurs were wiped out.
Now, amphibians are at risk. Scientists released a report on October 4. Almost half of all amphibian species are under threat.
The scientists looked at 8,011 species. More than 200 amphibian species may have gone extinct over the last 150 years. In the past, the main causes of these extinctions were disease and . But recently, the threat of climate change has grown.
In places like Australia and Brazil, experts think less rain will make it harder for frogs to have babies. In Venezuela, amphibians must climb into the mountains. Up there, the creatures can stay in cooler temperatures. And in the United States, fires and changes in soil are already hurting five salamander species.
Saving amphibians matters. Scientists use amphibians to study medicines. The creatures also eat bugs. They eat bugs that can spread sicknesses.
Scientists warned that the effects of climate change are likely even bigger. However, there is hope.
Keeping track of species’ populations lets scientists know if amphibians are struggling or not. This gives them a chance to step in and help where amphibians need them the most.
Hopefully, amphibians can hop to a happier future.
Updated October 16, 2023, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Hannah Marcum
