unusual amphibians

[StuartDH]

I guess most people would think that all amphibians are quite unusual, but what are the most unusual amphibians of them all? Do you know of an amphibian that has particularly unusual characteristics either its appearance or behaviour? If so, it would be great to hear about them.

[sobi]

you said it, they're pretty much all wierd The stangest looking of all the animals on the planet

[paul m]

I think that salamanders are very "odd" because they are, effectively, juvenile stages - tadpoles, as it were, physiologically ... and yet are able to reproduce, like adult newts.

Here's an interesting find - there are probably lots of undiscovered salamanders and other amphibians in the tropical zone but this was found in the Appalachian mountains of USA:
BBC - Earth News - Striking salamander species found

[paul m]

Good news - a very rare frog in Borneo: has been thought extinct for ninety years.
BBC Nature - Lost rainbow toad is rediscovered
Very distinctive colouring!

[goosey]

Originally Posted by paul m

Good news

Not like you Paul .

It does look so fantastic doesn't it, much more interesting than the frog I see .

[chris butterworth]

There really are some weird amphibians out there. I'm still trying to figure out how the Suriname Toad evolved such a strange breeding strategy.
BBC Nature - Surinam toad videos, news and facts

Chris

[nyoni-pete]

We had two species of Gastric-brooding Frogs Rheobatrachus sp., in which the female raised tadpoles in her stomach until the froglets were expelled through her mouth. During this time all her gastric secretion was suspended so the eggs and tadpoles were not digested. Unfortunately both species are likely to be extinct, with no records since the 1980's.

[chris butterworth]

Originally Posted by nyoni-pete

We had two species of Gastric-brooding Frogs Rheobatrachus sp., in which the female raised tadpoles in her stomach until the froglets were expelled through her mouth. During this time all her gastric secretion was suspended so the eggs and tadpoles were not digested. Unfortunately both species are likely to be extinct, with no records since the 1980's.

The northern species must have one of the shortest times between being scientifically described ( 1984 ) and being declared extinct ( 1985 ). Amphibians do have a way of becoming extinct - then reappearing. Discoglossus nigriventer Palestinian Painted Frog was declared extinct in 1956 when the swamps around L. Hula on the Israel / Syrian border were drained for 'redevelopment' but was found again, last year, I think.

Chris

[chris butterworth]

A good bit of news - for a change. Lets hope the habitat gets protected Starry frog rediscovered after thought extinct for 160 years (photos)

Chris