Help the
Puerto Rican Crested Toad!
Hello, this is
IGL and this post is about the Puerto Rican Crested Toad. The Puerto Rican
Crested Toad (Peltophryne lemur) is critically endangered. The amphibian
lives in the rocky areas of forests of evergreen. It is threatened because of
the growing human population and the introduction of a new species.
The Puerto Rican
Crested Toad one was thriving on the island of Puerto Rico and Virgin Gorda.
This toad is the only native toad to Puerto Rico. But they are now declining.
The first reason because of the decreasing population is because of habitat
loss. They bred in small ponds in the forests. People drained these ponds for
agricultural and urban uses. The last population of the toad is in the south of
Guanica National Park.
The next cause
is because of the introduction of the Marine Toad. The Marine Toad (Bufo
marinus) was brought to manage the grub population that destroyed the sugar
canes. Sadly, the marine toad is a lot bigger (7 in.) than the Puerto Rican
Crested Toad (2.5-4.5 in.). They fight for breeding areas, food, and shelter.
The Marine Toad also eats the Puerto Rican sometimes. Other species of mammals
also prey on the Puerto Rican Crested Frog.
The AZA Species
Survival Program (SSP) helps the toad by breeding them and releasing the
tadpoles back into the wild. Miami Children’s Zoo also had a birth of tadpoles.
The tadpoles were then given to Guanica National Park.
There are many
ways to help the Puerto Rican Crested Frog. You could:
1.
Spread the word. You could
write an article to the newspaper or tell someone you know.
2.
Start a petition. Start a
petition to have people help the toad.
3.
Donate to the SSP.
4.
Help at zoos that need
help for the Puerto Rican Crested Toad.
Help save the Puerto Rican Crested Toad!
Idea+Gift=Love IGL
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