These Newly Discovered Frogs Can Fit on Your Fingertip
Feb. 21, 2017 - Seven new species of "night frogs" have been discovered in the Western Ghats in India, the only place in the world you'll find these creatures. Four of the new species are so tiny they can fit on your fingernail. Finding them was tricky, due to their size and habitat, living in thick vegetation. Nearly a third of amphibian species are threatened with extinction and scientists are hoping more can be done to protect their habitat, much of which is disturbed by human activities.
Read more about these night frogs, the challenges in finding them, and the threats they face.
In southern India’s Western Ghats mountains,
hiding in the forests,
live the little night frogs.
It’s easy to miss them,
especially since some species are so tiny,
they could fit on your fingernail.
But dedicated researchers have combed through the vegetation
and discovered seven new species,
bringing the total to over 30 different kinds of night frogs
throughout the region.
Parts of the Western Ghats are protected,
but the frogs also live in areas
where agriculture changes the landscape.
For the scientists, finding the animals was the first step.
Now they want to make sure these frogs survive.
