Ecuador has shocked the world again. Inside a very small forest that can be walked through in merely 30 minutes, a group of scientists has found 14 new animal species, among which there are several reptiles and amphibious not existing anywhere else in the world. Incidentally, they also found 4 new insect species while taking pictures. Among the discovered reptiles, there is a new record breaker: the world’s smallest lizard, measuring the size of a pencil tip.
The forest is located in the Pata de Pájaro hill, in the Ecuadorian coastal region, a little further to the north of the Equatorial line. It is a cloudy forest of only 2 miles of length that is home to more than 140 reptile and amphibious species among of which some never seen rarities have been identified. Such is the case of a frog that lays its eggs in the trees instead of laying them in the water. Usually frogs pass through a tadpole stage; however, this kind of frog comes directly out of the egg as a tiny young frog of the size of a pinhead. Another frog species has the skin of its chest area so transparent it can be seen through, allowing seeing its internal organs, including its beating heart.
This discovery empowers the social consciousness call to stop the people’s careless attitude regarding the handling of the planet’s resources. The Pata de Pájaro hill is currently endangered due to several factors, such as the insertion of cattle ranching that deforests the region, the tree felling and the illegal hunting. In words of Dr. Kerry Kriger, director of the Save the Frogs Charity: “the good news is, the animals are still there and alive, so there is still time to save them from extinction. But we need to take action now to make it happen”.
Photo: Photo: Reptile & Amphibian Ecology International
No comments:
Post a Comment