Bullfrog Ballet

Frogs Forever? ... only if we leap in to save them. There's a global crisis facing amphibians -- frogs, toads and salamanders -- they're vanishing before our very eyes.

Bullfrog Ballet

Bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) are native to the eastern North America, from Canada as far south as Florida, but they're invading British Columbia, where the Vancouver Aquarium is located. They were introduced here in the early 1900s by people wanting to farm them for their legs.

As you can see, they'll eat just about anything that will fit into their mouth. They can easily tip the delicate balance of nature in places where they are not naturally found.

Ironically this widely introduced species is disappearing in Ontario, Canada -- part of its natural range.

See these frogs in person at the Vancouver Aquarium

http://www.vanaqua.org/

It's a global crisis

We could lose up to one-half of the world's 6,000 known amphibian species in our lifetime, resulting in the single largest mass extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs.

We're losing them to habitat destruction, pollution that includes household chemicals and pesticides, climate change, and over-harvesting for food, but the most deadly cause is a disease called the chytrid fungus.

It's a crisis that has sparked the Vancouver Aquarium to take action.

"Frogs Forever?" a new exhibit at the Aquarium trains the spotlight on the plight of the world's frogs, with tips on how we can help save them.

It's part of the global initiative to save frogs launched by Amphibian Ark (a coalition of research and conservation groups that include zoo and aquariums), which has declared 2008 The Year of the Frog.

• Category

  Pets & Animals

[yosobro2140]

pause at 1:53

[BrinnyandKelliroxxo]

wow you got some amazing shots!

i wish my frogs were that cool

[atlantiselliott]

Wow a amazing video. I wish that people would stop pollution! The amphibians are a great thing in this world & we need to love & care for them! 

[ViVi19881110]

Good Job. Lucky to see ballet on such a clear video.

[planBpros1]

@pewterbot9 I agree

[pewterbot9]

squoinked: "what about the feces and pee that flaws in the frog water mad by frogs? Is it healthy too?"

Do you think that frogs are the only creatures that inhabit watery environs? What about eels, fish, whales, dolphins, etc? You do realize of course, that they /all/ poop in the water. Frogs cannot live in unclean water...thus, are an excellent barometer of an ecosystem's health. You are delusional and awfully stupid, it seems. No point in arguing with such a jerk.

[TsakirisAlexandros]

and what about the feces and pee that flaws in the frog water mad by frogs? Is it healthy too?

I am sure frogs can cure cancer, they are the cleanest animals on planet and everywhere they poop water becomes cleaner and ready to be drunk. We should burn all the other animals especially those that live as friend to humans for a few thousands of year already.

What about the dogs dude, come on we need more of your reasonable delusions about frogs.

[pewterbot9]

squoinked: "Go drink some frog water"

The cleanest water sources (springs, lakes, rivers) always have copious frog populations...it's a sign of purity and ecological health. So give me frog water any day of the year!

"I'll stick with my clean kitties."

Not as clean as you think. Not only are you delusional, you harbor an illiterate prejudice against frogs, who are our friends. A scarcity of frogs indicates an unhealthy, deteriorating environment. Enjoy your kittie water!

[TsakirisAlexandros]

Go drink some frog water, I'll stick with my clean kitties. The whole world lives with kitties and most of them have absolutely no health problem, whilst the whole world despises the frogs.

But you came here to save us from hell, we thank you!

[pewterbot9]

@TsakirisAlexandros: Toxoplasmosis anyone?

2ndchanceDOTinfoSLASHtoxoplasm­osisDOThtm

[TsakirisAlexandros]

You cannot even copy me when I write sarcasm. Quoting half my sentences and writing nonsense next does not make you look smart at all.

Back to the subject, if the kitty paws are dirty (they are not, she cleans itself with its tongue) then the frogs WHOLE body is dirtier because it swims in infected and dirty water that it infects ITSELF by peeing in the water it lives!!!

(...how was I?)

[pewterbot9]

squoinked: "So are you a racist against ringworm fungus or something?"

You're an idiot. Obviously, toxins from the kitty litter have already infected your slowly liquefying brain matter.

"Frogs are disgusting period."

Your /period/ is disgusting . *ribbit*