Update From The Tiny Salad Frog

Tony has made a friend!

Remember the frog that a man found in his salad a few weeks ago? Named "Tony," the tiny tree frog was still and cold, and Simon Curtis, the man who found him, posted about it on Twitter, seeking advice about how to help the little guy. He ended up with thousands of followers and well-wishers giving advice, so he kept the frog in a hermit crab home, feeding him worms until the cold temperatures cleared and it was safe for the frog to go back outside.

Curtis says that he wasn't allowed to have pets as a child, so this was an experience he'd always yearned for. Since then, he's adopted Tony as his own pet, and he's been gifted a giant terrarium with temperature control to give Tony a very nice home. Tony eats crickets and seems to be living a content life. Curtis says when he was a child, he was comforted by a stuffed tree frog when he had cancer, and both he and Tony are lucky to be alive.

What a heartwarming story! It's nice that Tony survived the salad, and that Curtis has the pet he always wanted. Have you heard of any other great frog stories lately? Share them in the chat. 

Klat Categories: 
Pets
Reptiles

Potentially Deadly Parasite Found in Frogs in Florida

Parasites could be deadly to both humans and pets

Okay 2022, you need to back off our frogs. Giving Cuban tree frogs in Florida deadly parasites is NOT cool. The frogs, which are becoming an invasive species in the state, are being used as vehicles by rat lungworm. As one might guess, the disease is commonly carried by rats, but now it's hopping on frogs, and it's dangerous to both humans and their pets.

The good thing is that the parasite must be ingested to cause any harm, so hand-washing and not picking up or touching frogs are good ways to avoid getting it. The bad news is that there is no cure, so prevention is very important. Experts say to talk to your veterinarian if you have concerns; if you are like me, your dogs are always sniffing creatures in the yard, which would make me nervous.

What other frog-related news have you read this week? Have you heard anything new about different species, frog protection or fun facts? Share what you've learned in the chat.

Klat Categories: 
Animals
Wild
Amphibians

Valentines for Frog Lovers

What are you getting your sweetie--or yourself?

Valentine's Day is almost here, and if you're a frog lover--or a lover of a frog lover!--there are so many fun ways to celebrate this hoppin' holiday. From frog-themed gifts to think outside the box ideas, there's always a way to celebrate the frogs!

Stuffed frogs are a given for any holiday, but what about Chocolate Frogs? Skip the cliche ones from storybooks and go for these adorable chocolate frogs from The Wisconsin Cheeseman. Gummy frogs are also fun, like these giant examples, and there are also beautiful frog truffles from The Swiss Colony! 

You can also sponsor or "adopt" a frog for your loved one. World Wildlife Fund, among many other organizations, has a great kit you can purchase that helps fund frog protecion and sends you frog-themed goodies for your loved one. The National Wildlife Federation also has a great kit. 

What frog goodies have you run across? What are you getting for your sweetheart--or yourself? Share what you've found in the chat. 

Klat Categories: 
Holidays

Frogs Are Regrowing Their Legs

Device helps limbs regrow in 18 months

Scientists have used frogs to study many different possibilities for humans over the years, and whether you find it ethical or not, this latest study is an interesting one. Frogs who have lost limbs are being used as subjects for a new treatment that helps them regrow the limbs within 18 months. The process utilizes new technology, a device that is made from a silicone sleeve containing several different chemicals to help stimulate growth. For those concerned, yes, unfortunately the frogs' legs were amputated for this experiment on purpose. 

The chemicals in the sleeve contain growth hormone and other repair agents to help stimulate growth and repair as well as an anti-inflammatory agent to help with the healing process. The idea is that since the bodies already knew how to grow a leg when the frogs were formed, it could do it again with some help. The goal, of course, is to assist humans who have lost limbs with regeneration.

What do you think of this experiment? Do you think it would work with human beings, or that it should be tried on any test subjects willing to do so? Share your thoughts in the chat. 

Klat Categories: 
Animals
Wild
Amphibians

Team Assembles "Biobot" Frog

What do you think of the technology?

Is it ethical to create life using a genetic algorithm? That's the question scientists are asking after making the discovery that it absolutely can be done. A team just created a "biobot" frog using an algorithm and genetically unmodified tissues. This biobot consists of frog skin and tissues that can very well contract and move, but is it really an ethical step in the science world that humans should be taking?

In some ways we're inclined to say yes. Replacing the many frog species that humans have wiped out is a lofty goal that might be achievable with this tech. So could using the "tissue" for experimentation and development of new treatments for human beings. But where does one draw the line--and with what species? As technology continues to outpace the law, we continue to witness the many challenges, ethical and otherwise, that humankind will face as a result.

Do you think creating "biobot" animals or any types of beings are ethical? What kinds of benefits do you see to the technology--and what kinds of drawbacks give you the most pause? Share your thoughts in the chat. 

Klat Categories: 
Animals
Science

New Frog Named After Greta Thunberg

What a fitting honor for the young activist!

Given that frogs are some of our earliest warning signs when there is a dangerous change going on in our environment, it is fitting that one of the newly-named frogs to be discovered was named after young environmentalist Greta Thunberg. Discovered in Panama, this frog was dubbed Pristimantis gretathunbergae.

The rainfrog is not a new discovery. It has been waiting for a name after a decade of being found. Rainforest Trust auctioned off naming rights for many species to raise funds during their 30th anniversary and that happens to be what the donor who chose the new frog's name selected. 

What other cool frog news have you read this week? Share any fun frog-related stories, discoveries or weird facts in the chat.

Klat Categories: 
Animals
Amphibians

Frog Idioms Used in Language

Which ones do you know?

As much as we love frogs, we need to acknowledge how frequently they are used as negative images or idiomatic expressions. There was the whole ugly Pepe the frog thing, which is just not cool. Frogs don't want to be Pepe. Stop using them. Then there's the fact that we say there is a frog in our throat when we are hoarse, which is just silly. Frogs aren't hoarse and sound magnificent. Dust in the throat is a much more accurate description.

Next there's the fact that the word frog is used as slang for a short road, which is common in the United Kingdom and Australia. While it's not as offensive, the fact remains that the road is an actual cause of death for many frogs! It may be an homage to Frog and Toad, which started as sweet, but frogs need protection from the road, not to be called one. The final idiomatic phrase is the worst, as French folks are sometimes referred to as frogs as an insult just because they eat them. Okay, frogs are consumed all over the world, including in the United States--especially in Southern cooking. So this just needs to stop. Neither frogs nor French people likely want their names to be used as an insult.

Do you know of any other frog expressions or idiomatic phrases used around the world? Which ones would you replace or change? Better yet, let's come up with some new ones that are used in a positive light. Share your ideas in the chat!

Klat Categories: 
Culture
Society

Chytid Fungus Wipes Out Frogs in Australia

How to help frogs where you live

Here at Frog Source, most frog friends know all about the deadly chytid fungus that has been destroying frog populations in many countries. Now we know that our friends in Australia have seen the complete extinction of at least four species recently due to this terrible disease. It's not only devastating to witness the disease eliminate entire species, but it's also incredibly awful to witness how it harms frogs and causes so much suffering as it kills them.

The link expresses some ways we can help our frog friends--namely making habitats for them in our own backyards and giving them places to be safe. According to the NSW, we should also avoid touching frogs at all costs to help protect them, and if it's absolutely necessary, we need to wear gloves to avoid spreading our own germs. If you visit places were frogs live, be sure to clean off all of your boots and equipment so you don't contaminate water between sites and spread the fungus. There are also steps to take to handle infected frogs to help stop the spread.

Have you heard of any infected frogs where you live? Do you have other tips to help stop the chytid fungus? Share what you've learned in the chat. 

 

Klat Categories: 
Animals
Amphibians

Man Finds Frog in Lettuce

Cute frog takes over Twitter

Finding an animal in my produce has always been a fear of mine ever since a friend shared that their mother found a scorpion in a head of lettuce once! A Twitter user shared his story about finding a cute critter in his lettuce and everyone on Twitter fell in love with "Tony" the frog.

Simon Curtis shared that it was way too cold to let his little friend outside for the evening, so he asked Twitter for advice on keeping the frog safe. He gave it food and water, dubbing it his new Pokemon, and returned to Whole Foods to find some lettuce that wasn't frog-filled. Finding a frog in his lettuce container had to be startling at the very least!

Have you ever found a creature inside food you've purchased, whether it was at the store or a restaurant of some kind? What did you find? Share your stories in the chat.

Klat Categories: 
Animals
Amphibians

Not All Poisonous Frogs Are Colorful

Beware the brown poison frogs!

Most of us have heard stories at some point about how the smallest scorpions are the most dangerous, the most colorful frogs are the most poisonous and other helpful tips to avoid danger. The thing is, there are often exceptions to the rule, and that's true when it comes to colorful frogs. Some not-so-colorful frogs can be a danger to predators  as well.

Take the frog genus Silverstoneia, for example. Scientists now understand that the little brown frogs that were once thought to be harmless actually carry poisonous compounds as well. Instead of colorful markings to warn predators of their danger, these frogs may exhibit a bitter scent and taste. That keeps the frogs safe when they might otherwise look like a tasty appetizer.

What other cool frog news have you read this week? Share any frog-related news stories in the chat. 

Klat Categories: 
Animals
Amphibians

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