Life Under the Leaf

Tucked away in the reptile houses of many zoos - or in the children's zoo, or some other corner pocket - is often a row of tanks (usually you can count them on one hand) that represent the amphibian collection.  I've always found it fascinating - kids love frogs.  Heck, everyone loves frogs.  Except, it seems, zoo folks.

Amphibians are the most endangered class of vertebrate in the world, with some of the most endangered species and some of the most compelling conservation stories - and zoos ignore them.  A very tiny number of zoos have dedicated amphibian houses, like Detroit and Toledo.  Everywhere else, you get a few token displays, usually with the reptiles.  Fun fact, reptiles actually like it hot, amphibians prefer it cooler.  Reptiles are also more closely related to birds than amphibians, so it would make more sense - biologically speaking - to lump those two together than reptiles and amphibians.

Apart from whatever is native, you also see the same few species over and over again.  This is usually a combination of a) which species are very pretty (like the poison dart frogs) and b) which are easy to take care of.   Many amphibians are very delicate, with sensitive environmental needs, semipermeable skin, and a complete and utter readiness to die if their temperature and humidity and water clarity values aren't just so.  Feeding them can be a nightmare, also - tiny frogs have tiny mouths and eat tiny insects, which can either be expensive to constantly buy or absolutely maddening to try and breed on your own.

On the other end of the spectrum, you have animals like the cane toad.  As far as I can tell, there is only one way to kill a cane toad, and it involves a sledgehammer.  Forget about cockroaches - if there ever is a nuclear war, the cane toads will inherit the earth.

Taking care of many amphibians requires a delicacy that many people - including many keepers I know - don't possess.  That's part of the reason why we don't see more in zoos.  The zoos that are lucky enough to have those talented keepers, and the facilities and staff culture to nurture them, can be rewarded with some beautiful displays, enchanting animals, and the satisfaction that they are helping to bolster the numbers of some very rare, very incredible species.