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Why
Saba? Hot off
the press... Other good stuff...
The same frog? Notice there are two photographs of red and blue frogs, both with the same common and scientific name but slightly different. Local naturalists confirm it's the same species, just a slight variation. The second photo was taken in Tortuguero where they can be spotted on a jungle trek. This same trek awards you with an outstanding view of this unique area where the Caribbean Sea and the Tortuguero River meet. Tortuguero is a must see for nature lovers with the possibility of spotting anything from howler monkeys and tiger herons to nesting green turtles and even a jaguar! Spurrell's Flying Frog doesn't fly but actually glides. This frog is quite large--approximately 8 cm in body length. This frog is at risk as its habitat, high treetops of the rainforests, is vulnerable to encroaching civilization. The Boulengar snouped treefrog has one of the loudest calls of Costa Rican frogs. The male uses this call only in the dry season to attract females up to 2 km away. Looking similar to a toad and possessing a similar defense mechanism, this frog can release a white foamy toxin through its skin when threatened. The male of the Hour glass tree frog has a very large throat sack which he inflates in order to emit calls to attract females. It is said that the female is quite particular about choosing a male as her mate and will sometimes forego mating altogether if she is not impressed. She prefers a simple note. The reproduction cycle for this frog is only 50 days. The above
photo shows the Gaudy
Leaf Frog in its daytime position with a baby.
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see left side bar for photo with baby and notes
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All images ©John Magor Photography and Sea Saba Dive Center or as otherwise noted. No image to be used for any purpose or in any format without permission. Quality prints on archive standard paper available $30-$60, size dependent. High resolution digital images on a contract basis only. Contact us for permission and procedures. This page last updated on 06/08/2006 |
In May of 2005, we spent time with Dr. Rainer Schulte, foremost scientist on poisonous dart frogs... Our first frog outing was inspired by the first annual Sea & Learn on Saba event. In October 2003, we met Jan Post--a naturalist whose background ranges from holding an international award for free diving to being a consultant for the World Bank. His World Bank work led him to Tarapoto, Peru where he met with Dr. Rainer Schulte. The World Bank funded a program to expedite the exporting of poisonous dart frogs to terrariums around the world. The program was to prove more money could be earned for the Peruvian land holders from this program than the short term slashing and burning of the Amazon. Dr. Schulte is presently expanding his laboratory to accommodate his PhD students from the US and elsewhere. We spent three days with Dr. Schulte in his terrarium. In addition to the frogs, he also houses poisonous snakes including some without known antidotes for their powerful venom. In search of more frogs, next stop, Costa Rica... If you remember one thing about Costa Rica, realize this is a country with no military. Instead, their tax dollars go toward the protection and promotion of the environment. This has resulted in over 25% of the country being set aside for national parks, protected areas and outright reserves. In April 2006, our first stop in Costa Rica was to the cloud forest region of Monteverde, The Frog Pond is a three-year old endeavor designed to increase environmental awareness as to the importance of frogs. Biologist Evelyn Casares gave us a special tour, behind the glass of the Ranario (Rana is the Spanish word for frog). The final stop of our Costa Rica adventure was to meet Brian Kubicki. To categorize this transplanted midwesterner as passionate about frogs is a complete understatement. Brian has devoted the last 10 years to intensive frog research in Costa Rica, the last 5 of which have been setting up his private research center on a 90-acre plot which is home to more than 50 amphibians and reptiles. It is here that we were able to photograph some of the rarer frogs of the region, including 3 species of glass frogs. Larger images to follows soon...but for now, have a look at a few of these:
The doom and gloom article in the March 28, 2006 edition of Time magazine predicts we will lose some 150 species of frogs by 2050! Frogs are a telltale species of our environmental health. Frogs, like all amphibians, have a respiratory system. But its their sensitive skin which makes them so vulnerable to changes in the environment. Their skin has the ability to absorb oxygen, nutrients and hydrate the animal. Unfortunately, the skin also absorbs pollutants from water or air. The demise of many frogs is now attributable to a fungus known as chritivio. One theory, according to Casanes, is that chriitivio fungus originates in South Africa and perhaps found its way to the rainforest via scientists' boots. They find this same fungus problem in fish and other reptiles. One example of Costa Rica's concern for the environment...on a bus ride from the town of Cariarri in to the river region that accesses Tortuguero, the 60+ passengers of the bus had to disembark and walk through a sheep dip type of walkway. The 'sheep dip' was a strong disinfectant for the soles of our shoes. Although the system is less than perfect, certainly the effort helps to curtail the transfer of disease and unnatural occurring parasites.
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