The Grand Opening of the Bog for Frogs in the West Launceston Primary School Community Garden. Thanks Costa and the Bog Bonk Acapella ❤

Eleven species of frog occur throughout Tasmania, three of which are restricted to the State. While many of them are inconspicuous, with a little practice all species can be identified from the distinctive calls of the males.

Amphibians are composed of three diverse groups of species. Salamanders and newts comprise some 300 species which are widespread through Asia, the Americas and Europe, while the Gymnophiona are a little known group of some 150 species of legless burrowing or aquatic amphibians predominantly confined to the tropics of Africa, Asia and South America.

The Anurans, or frogs, comprising some 4000 known species, are the best known group and the only Order of amphibians found in Australia. Some 94% of all Australia’s 200 or so species – and all Tasmanian species – are believed to have evolved on the ancient southern continent of Gondwana, of which Australia and South America were a part. It is therefore not surprising to find that Australia’s frogs have their closest affinities with South American species.

Many species of frogs throughout the world are in decline. These animals are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment, possibly as a result of the high permeability of their skin. As such, they are important ‘biological indicators’ of the health, or otherwise, of the Earth’s ecosystems.