Funday Times

Endangered animals of Sri Lanka
By Rainforest

Ever heard of a rice frog? Meet Karunaratne's narrow-mouthed frog. This group of frogs got their name from their habit of laying eggs in shallow pools, made from activities like rice farming. Because the puddles don't last a long time, rice frogs turn from tadpoles into frogs in only a few weeks.

Karunaratne's narrow-mouthed frog (Microhyla karunaratnei)

They live in shaded areas of tropical moist forests and love wet leaves. You can find them in Sinharaja usually in tangled roots and grass stems surrounding small water pools.

Karunaratne's story is similar to many of Sri Lanka's amphibians. It is a Critically Endangered and rare species. One of their biggest threats is poisoning from pollution by chemicals used in farming.

They also suffer from habitat loss, when the forests they live in are cut down. But amazingly, these little critters have taken advantage of areas that have been deforested to find new homes, nesting in gem pits made through illegal mining activities.

Rescue International Illustration by Asia Hewatathirana

What can you do to help save Sri Lanka's amphibians?

1. Look after your environment

Frogs are very sensitive to pollution and chemicals. Help protect their homes by looking after your local environment, recycling, using less plastic and polythene, properly disposing of rubbish and cleaning areas frogs live in.

2. Start an amphibian group

Find out more about the frogs in your area and how you can help conserve them. Learn how to identify them by how they look and by their calls.

Raise awareness in your community about how to protect them. Why not design a poster, write an article for your school paper or have a frog day at school?

3. Celebrate Save The Frogs Day.

Get involved at www.savethefrogs.com/day . Discover more about Sri Lanka's endangered animals on our blog: http://srilankawildthing.blogspot.com/

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
 
Other Funday Articles
South Asias' fastest aging population in Sri Lanka
Rhythms of Nature -- Poem for the week
Kids World
How Roller Coasters work
The Light of Liberty
Learn with Gehan: Birds of Sri Lanka
Endangered animals of Sri Lanka
Fusion '09
Young Achiever

 


 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 2009 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved.| Site best viewed in IE ver 6.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution