You might not believe it until you hear the frog sing for your self, but a newly discovered frog species in Vietnam actually vocalizes like a bird song.
The Australian Museum in Sydney posted the audio file and is hosting it because one of their researchers, Jodi Rowley, discovered the frog in the mountain forests of Vietnam. Clearly, hearing a bird song or something like one in a forest would not lead one to believe a frog was close by, but Rowley made the discovery anyway. It was found in the Pu Hoat Proposed Nature Reserve and named Quang’s tree frog (Gracixalus quangi). Forest habitat between about 1800 and 4200 feet is where it lives. Fortunately this frog discovery does not also include the information that it is already known to be in danger of extinction, as some new species discovery stories do.
What makes the frogs song more bird-like is that it constantly changes, whereas frogs typically have a very simple and repetitious vocalization. Rowley explained, “In fact, no two calls that I recorded were exactly the same, with each frog mixing clicks, whistles and chirps in no apparent order! It is the most variable frog call that I’ve heard of, and sounds a lot more like a bird song than a frog call.” (Source: Mongabay.com)
She has previously discovered new frog species in Vietnam including one with ‘fanged’ tadpoles, with black curved hooks in their mouths. In the video below she talks about that discovery (not the singing frog). This video was included to show her talking about her research.
The male Quang's tree frog has uniquely complex vocalizations. Photo by: Jodi J. L. Rowley/Australian Museum.
Globally, the world's amphibians are facing an extinction crisis. It's believed that at least 120 amphibians have gone extinct in the last 30 years, while 41 percent of the world's 7,000 known amphibians are considered threatened with extinction by the IUCN Red List. Deforestation, wetland loss, pollution, overexploitation, the pet trade, invasive species, and climate change have all taken a toll on these sensitive creatures, which have been dubbed by many ecologists as "canaries in a coal mine" for their ability to point out environmental degradation. In addition, a deadly fungal disease called chytridiomycosis has wiped out whole species even in pristine environments.
The Australian Museum in Sydney posted the audio file and is hosting it because one of their researchers, Jodi Rowley, discovered the frog in the mountain forests of Vietnam. Clearly, hearing a bird song or something like one in a forest would not lead one to believe a frog was close by, but Rowley made the discovery anyway. It was found in the Pu Hoat Proposed Nature Reserve and named Quang’s tree frog (Gracixalus quangi). Forest habitat between about 1800 and 4200 feet is where it lives. Fortunately this frog discovery does not also include the information that it is already known to be in danger of extinction, as some new species discovery stories do.
What makes the frogs song more bird-like is that it constantly changes, whereas frogs typically have a very simple and repetitious vocalization. Rowley explained, “In fact, no two calls that I recorded were exactly the same, with each frog mixing clicks, whistles and chirps in no apparent order! It is the most variable frog call that I’ve heard of, and sounds a lot more like a bird song than a frog call.” (Source: Mongabay.com)
She has previously discovered new frog species in Vietnam including one with ‘fanged’ tadpoles, with black curved hooks in their mouths. In the video below she talks about that discovery (not the singing frog). This video was included to show her talking about her research.
Listen the frog singing.
Globally, the world's amphibians are facing an extinction crisis. It's believed that at least 120 amphibians have gone extinct in the last 30 years, while 41 percent of the world's 7,000 known amphibians are considered threatened with extinction by the IUCN Red List. Deforestation, wetland loss, pollution, overexploitation, the pet trade, invasive species, and climate change have all taken a toll on these sensitive creatures, which have been dubbed by many ecologists as "canaries in a coal mine" for their ability to point out environmental degradation. In addition, a deadly fungal disease called chytridiomycosis has wiped out whole species even in pristine environments.
Dr Jodi Rowley discussing Rhacophorus vampyrus the medium-sized Vampire tree frog found in southern Vietnam.
...Have a Cat that never stirs during the nap .!=©¥©=!
ALWAYS LIKED AMPHIBIANS .I SHOULD KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM , AM NOT HOPPY ABOUT THEIR LIMITED FLOURISHING . THERE COULD BE A CARTOON ABOUT THEIR UNDERCOVER WORK(You know how they quiet as you get close!) Tom Cruise could cameo as asst. to MAMASIETA(sp)RiBeTah ... since he likes to hop:) ...
When I was young,even 28 yrs. ago, I loved hearing the frogs sing,then the crickets and cicadas would join in, it was like a beautiful orchestra. I so miss hearing them. I hope they come back.