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VALERIE C CLARK IS one serious amphibian-enthusiast. Tasting the toxins of little frogs? Now, that’s devotion.

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WE’RE BECOMING BIG FANS of the online project asknature.org, from The Biomimicry Institute. It’s an enormous database all about our natural world with easy searching and great tidbits. For example, we learned just today that frogs actually propel themselves forward in water by creating a vortex with the force of their webbed feet. A vortex! All the science-y details are here.

DID YOU KNOW THAT the fragile Northern Leopard Frog (above) is under serious threat? We recently learned from the Wildlife Action Center that this beautiful species of amphibian, once prevalent throughout North America, “are put at an even greater risk by endosulfan–a deadly pesticide that’s been banned in at least sixty countries, but not in the U.S.” Thousands of concerned people signed this letter to let legislators know that the health risks to amphibians and humans caused by endosulfan are unacceptable. We await news of governmental response.

(photo by Sage)

UNBEKNOWNST TO US, there has been a great debate for some time now about the origins of mysterious frogs born without hind legs. Well thanks to some stealth camera moves by a man named Brendan Ballengee, this science mystery appears to be solved. Find out where these legless amphibians are coming from. (Psst, the weird photo above is your hint.)

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE: a handsome toad with a vocal sac to die for. Photo from toad photographer, dmills727. (His title for this picture is ‘Toads in the Hood’)

THIS AMPHIBIAN FROM BORNEO, Huia cavitympanum, is the only known frog species that communicates solely in ultrasonic calls with frequencies too high to be heard by humans. How cool is that? Learn more from Science Daily.

AFTER BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED BY a lawnmower in a Australian backyard, a green tree frog underwent emergency surgery and has now been given a second chance at life. Ark Animal Hospital vet Stephen Cutter performed the operation, repairing severely damaged skin and internal organs on the tiny frog’s back. He has begun to call the little amphibian “Victoria.” She has made a full recovery from her “horrific injury” and the 30 minute operation that followed. Read the full story in the Northern Territory News. (But we recommend shielding your eyes if you’re squeamish about frog injuries.)

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WE LOVE THIS SHORT VIDEO because it shows off the beautiful physique of tiny tree frogs. Can you believe how much this little guy’s vocal sac expands?

Pseudophryne corroboree (Corroboree frog)

HOP ON OVER TO The Guardian online to see a slideshow of the world’s most endangered amphibians. We’re delighted that our frog friends are getting publicity, but it’s truly heartbreaking to learn about so many species’ grave decline.