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United States – 01/01/1995: Southern Leopard Frog, Okefenokee Swamp Park, Georgia, USA. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket, Getty Images)
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — On March 20, the community will gather to celebrate World Frog Day, a full 24 hours dedicated to raising awareness for frogs and other amphibians around the world.
The American Museum of Natural History estimates that frogs have been on Earth for more than 200 million years, making amphibians as old as dinosaurs. Georgia is home to 32 species of frogs and toads, and more than 80 total amphibian species, including Georgia’s third amphibian, the salamander, according to the Southern Georgia Wildlife Education Center.
To celebrate World Frog Day, here are five quick facts about this popular amphibian.
The only poisonous frog native to the United States is the pickerel frog
that’s right. Pickerel frogs are not poisonous. It is poisonous and is found in northern Georgia and the Piedmont. It is considered poisonous rather than poisonous because it can produce toxic skin secretions that can kill small animals or irritate human skin.
This frog is often confused with the leopard frog, but can be identified by its square spots and bright yellow hue on the underside of its hind legs.
All toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads
Toads are also frogs, but the reverse doesn’t always work.
The word “toad” usually refers to a frog with warty, dry skin and short hind legs. Both toads and frogs fall into an order known as “anurans.” This basically means “no tail.” However, toads are also members of the family Bufoidae within that order.
Toads have thick and bumpy skin, while frogs tend to live in humid environments because their skin is highly absorbent.
Frog populations are rapidly declining due to fungal infections
Of course, habitat loss and pollution negatively impact frog populations around the world. But amphibians have a lot more to worry about than humans alone. A deadly fungus called chytrid fungus is slowly spreading across the world, including in Georgia.
This fungus is so dangerous to amphibians that their populations have declined rapidly and some have become extinct.
Georgia’s state amphibian is the green tree frog
Green frogs are amphibians familiar to most Georgians, especially those in the Coastal Empire, and can be found throughout the state, although they tend to live in wetlands such as the Okeefenokee Swamp.
One of the reasons the green tree frog was designated as Georgia’s state frog in 2005 was because lawmakers “need to fully recognize our diverse wildlife, and the green tree frog was designated as Georgia’s state frog.” This is because we believe that by doing so, we deserve the attention and recognition of the people of the state.” It is the country’s official amphibian. ”
Giant man-eating Cuban tree frog threatens native species
Earlier this year, News 3 learned from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources that the invasive cannibalistic Cuban tree frog is threatening native frog populations. The Cuban tree frog can grow to about 5 inches long, making it three times the size of Georgia’s second largest frog.
The frog has long been present in Florida, but in the past year it has been spotted breeding in coastal areas of Florida, laying eggs in stagnant water, according to the Georgia DNR.
Because they need warmth to survive, they tend to be attracted to humans and can even appear in your backyard.
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