Scientists Spy on Treefrogs Using Plastic Pipes in Trees
Carlson C and Carlson JE. 2022. Scientists Spy on Treefrogs Using Plastic Pipes in Trees. Frontiers for Young Minds 10:718524. https://doi.org/10.3389/frym.2022.718524
Have you ever spied on a treefrog? These nocturnal creatures can be hard to observe, cloaking their lives in mystery. They hatch as legless swimmers but quickly transform into adults with camouflaged skin for daytime hiding and sticky toepads for hunting in tree branches by night. Yet even the most secretive, high-climbing treefrog cannot escape from pollution, new enemies, and habitat loss. Scientists want to know how treefrogs are coping with these threats, so we spy on them in a clever way: we hang small plastic pipes from trees, which mimic the dark cavities where treefrogs love to rest. Since 2011, we have counted treefrogs inside thousands of pipes, yet with so many mysteries, our work will continue for years. One pipe at a time, treefrogs are sharing their secrets about which threats harm them most, helping us better protect and manage the beautiful trees and waters they call home.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Carlson, Carolyn; Carlson, Jane
- Date of Issue
- 2022-06-23
- Publisher
- Frontiers for Young Minds 10:718524
- DOI
- 10.3389/frym.2022.718524
- Units
- GULN , JELA
- Keywords
- "GULN other briefs", Amphibian Monitoring, GULN Amphibian, GULN Report