It seems that people have always had a fascination with frogs. After all a maiden had only to kiss one to have her very own prince, and the enduring favourite on the children's television show, Sesame Street, has been Kermit the Frog.
Lamentably, this engagement has not benefitted frogs (or other amphibians for that matter) in any way at all. From page 53: "Amphibians are the most threatened terrestrial vertebrate group on the planet, with tens of species going extinct each year."
If this does not fill you with sadness, I am not sure what will.
The pages of this book are filled with a glorious array of these creatures that, in so many ways, represent the very face of the climate crisis and all that is happening in the world around us. There is not a spot on Earth where frogs are found where their continued existence is not imperilled.
The book is filled with glorious illustrations of frogs big and small, colourful and cryptic, temperate and tropical, even those that are capable of being frozen in ice for a good part of their life cycle.
Species that are representative of every family are featured, with a description, pictures and a range map. There are frogs that are benign and those that produce poison so powerful it is capable of killing a human ten times over.
What is common among all species of frog is that their very presence is an indicator of a healthy environment, with clean, unpolluted water. The skin of a frog permits efficient gas exchange - up to 90% of its oxygen intake - essential to its survival, and anything that impairs that ability is highly problematic. Acid rain, ozone depletion, climate change, clear cutting of forests and urbanization all portend death for frogs.
These ancient creatures, that have graced the Earth for around 250 million years, can be wiped out in the blink of eye by callous human disregard for their existence.
Poison Dart Frogs have been linked with indigenous people in the tropics for as long as they have co-existed, each in harmony with the other, symbiotically and without endangerment. One spill from the tailings pond of a poorly managed mine can wipe out millions of years of life on Earth, irreplaceable, lost for all time.
We are already impoverished by those species we have lost. Let's summon our collective will to ensure that the dreadful trend of extinction is stopped. Let citizens join with scientists; let children be educated; let indifference be a sin.
The authors point to a few encouraging success stories, but one is bound to conclude that the finger is in the dike, and the dike is in urgent need of permanent repair.
Enjoy this book, revel in the unrivalled beauty of frogs around the world, and do your part to ensure that they too may survive.
We will be much poorer for their loss, and we simply cannot permit that to happen. If the bell tolls for frogs, it tolls no less for us.
Frogs of the World: A Guide to Every Family - Princeton University Press
Mark O'Shea and Simon Maddock
Hardcover - US$29.95 - ISBN: 9780691248301
240 pages - 6.75 x 9.5 inches (16.875 x 23.75 cm)
300 colour illustrations
Publication date: 09 April, 2024
It is way too long since I have seen or heard frogs. Which I mourn.
ReplyDeleteThat’s probably an ominous sign that the environment is in trouble, Sue.
Delete...I don't see the frogs that I once did.
ReplyDeleteNone of us do, I fear.
DeleteI have frogs in my garden pond, David. I like them very much. I have not tried to kiss them, and I don't think I ever will :)
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
When I was little frogs scared me, but now I am happy to see them. Last night I heard the spring peepers for the first time. It's always a good sign when they start singing. Hope your week is going well.
ReplyDeleteWe have always had many frogs here, 3 different types and a toad here and there. now they are all gone. we spent time each day removing them from the pool and carefully placing them on safe surfaces. I did not know they are endangered or that they are a sign of good environment. we are still in drought and think that is part of the problem. we love our reptiles, black snakes, lizards and frogs. we are hopping the rains will come back and bring them back. I once spent MONTHS when I had the bright idea of raising the tree frogs that laid a zillion eggs in our rain barrel, I had no idea how long it would take.. the story is on my blog
ReplyDeleteRarely see a frog around here...
ReplyDeleteBut a good book is always instructive !
Have a nice day David !
Anna
I like frogs.
ReplyDeleteHere in the field (photos in my new blog) there are also frogs, but I can't hear them yet.
I think this is a good book.
Greetings Irma
We have quite a few frogs and toads around our waterways, bullfrogs shouting loudly. I didn't hear any spring peepers this year but that might be my deteriorating hearing! There are fewer frogs, yes, I think largely habitat loss with endless building.
ReplyDeleteHeard some frogs in a pond this morning when we went out for a walk...pretty loud.
ReplyDeleteWe never hear frogs on the coast. This is a very good book.
ReplyDeleteWe've millions of frogs around us: wood frogs, chorus frogs, gray tree frogs, leopard frogs, bullfrogs, spring peepers. I do like them.
ReplyDeleteWere you sent this book for review? I used to get such, but that has dried up.
It's great that in your corner of Ontario there is still an abundance of frogs. Do you know if anyone has every surveyed the population to see how it is faring over time?
DeleteI don't recognise them but have been lucky to hear their sometimes incredibly noisy spring concerts on our lakeshore.
ReplyDeleteThese sympathetic and extremely useful animals have been victims of human beings' stupidity for along time.
I have to walk into the forest to the frog pond... the pond is popularly called “Frog Quake”, it is beautifully located in the middle of the forest.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to relax there and listen to the water frogs.
I will report.
Thanks for the review of the book.
Last year I sewed small shoulder bags with frog motifs. All given away.
A hug to you both.
P.s. the rhubarb will soon be ripe :-))
I haven't seen frogs in the big lakes for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI love frogs, and we have a lot round about because of all the streams and the nature protection area, which has a frog sanctuary. or times each year they take a small group in to visit, but I haven't tried kissing them!Hugs, Valerie xxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteSomething to look forward to!
DeleteI'm rather fond of frogs (and toads), David, but I suspect that this book would be frowned upon, or even binned, by Lindsay who has a phobia of frogs. It seems that this is not so unusual as my business associate in Hungary also had such a phobia.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - - - Richard
I know that you always rave over the little frog that Roos often features on her blog.
DeleteWe are quite fond of frogs, David. In fact, I kissed one who turned out to become my husband! We would often find garden frogs in our VA yard and hear them from the neighbor's pond. Sadly, we have not seen any since living in Nashua, NH, not even at the river.
ReplyDeleteI know they're important, but I admit I do prefer most tree frogs and toads to the regular frogs. I'm a fan of reptiles and amphibians in general. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, it´strue, they no longer see or hear each other like before... poor little frogs 🐸🐸🐸
ReplyDeleteGros bisous
We have many frogs here still, thankfully. I am sad to hear that these creatures are endangered, as so many others.
ReplyDeleteLooks a nice book. I love frogs and like many younger people back in my day used to breed them.
ReplyDeleteEste es un buen libro, gracias por compartir David. Un fuerte abrazo desde el norte de España.
ReplyDeleteHi David - we will have paper records which perhaps our descendants will read about - if they can do that - nature will win ... and no doubt evolution will allow nature a continuing life. We have a frog and toad migration to the ancient spawning lands near the Cuckmere River - there's a road to cross ... the signs go out - especially at night trying to get cars to slow down. So they can live their life - not ours ... I do hope we don't mess things up completely ... we will never know. TheThames had lampreys in it about 10 - 15 years ago ... now it's a disaster sadly. Life and people don't seem to go together well. Cheers happy Spring time - Hilary
ReplyDeleteFrogs are beautiful creatures
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting book! I'm starting to hear Spring Peepers at night now! ☺
ReplyDeleteThere was a toad in my carport yesterday that freaked out Lisa when she took the trash out. I also ate frog legs at a restaurant here. It tasted like fried chicken. Poor frog that ended up on my plate.
ReplyDeleteThat looks a good book.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
David,
ReplyDeleteYour review reminds us of the paradoxical relationship humans often have with the natural world. While frogs have been the subject of fascination and folklore, as highlighted by the references to fairy tales and popular culture like Kermit the Frog, it's disheartening to learn of their severe decline and the existential threats they face. Your descriptions, especially of the detailed illustrations in the book, serve as a poignant reminder of what we stand to lose. It's crucial that such charm and awareness translate into action to protect these vulnerable species and their habitats. Your review not only educates but also compels us to reflect on our environmental responsibilities. Well done on shedding light on such an urgent issue with both grace and urgency.
John
Thanks for this sensitive comment, John.
DeleteI sometimes see frogs when I visit my mother-in-law, in a nearby stream.
ReplyDeleteA very interesting and educational book.
Thanks for sharing
Great book and review David. I've been hearing frogs, they seem to be out now that the weather is warmer. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
ReplyDeleteEven though I concentrate more on birds, but that seems to be a great book David.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Lasse
Frogs are an important food source for a lot of birds, Lasse, so it's good to know them if only from that perspective!
DeletePowerful message about protecting frogs! This book sounds like a beautiful and important exploration of these amazing creatures.
ReplyDeleteAnother great review. I love the beautiful mating song of frogs - the croaking - that echoes through the forest and meadows.
ReplyDeleteHugs and greetings.
Dear David,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we didn't see a single frog in the wild on our current trip. Fortunately, things were different in Costa Rica 2022 - there was an enchanting variety of them.
I also think that the extinction of frogs will or would result in many other deaths... Let's hope it doesn't come to that and let's work on it.
All the best and best wishes after my blog break,
Traude
I enjoy hearing frogs, a soothing sound. It's indeed sobering that we're losing them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sentiment, David.
Long live frogs!
Hi David
ReplyDeleteI love frogs, they are gorgeous. where I live thousand of them, but, they are run over by cars. signs are put out stop the frogs.
I like frogs. It’s very sad how humans have neglected the natural world.
ReplyDeleteMe encanta este libro. Hay una laguna cerca de mi casa y duermo con el sonido de ellas, me gusta mucho. Un abrazo querido amigo.
ReplyDeleteInteresting book and one that I am sure I would find useful. Bisous Diane
ReplyDelete