Causes of Extinction

Why are species vanishing at such an alarming rate? Habitat destruction ranks as the leading cause -
especially logging, mining, clearing trees for cattle grazing and building dams and highways where
rainforests once existed. As the ecosystem shrinks, more and more species lose the resources that they
need to survive.

Over-consumption and international trade further endanger certain species. In Africa, commercial
hunting is responsible for putting 1/3 of the currently threatened primary forest at risk. Species
populations can also shrink when local people are forced by habitat destruction to rely on a smaller area
for their food needs, or when a certain species becomes popular on the international market. People
trap or kill animals and ship them to other countries, where they are taken as pets or used to make
other products. Once a species becomes rare or protected, the profit in smuggling can increase.
How we saved endangered speicies
Protect Wildlife Habitat
Photo Paul Tessier / iStockphoto.
Perhaps the greatest threat that faces many species is the widespread destruction of habitat.
Deforestation, farming, over-grazing and development all result in irreversible changessoil
compaction, erosion, desertification, and alteration of local climatic conditions. Such land use
practices vastly alter or even eliminate wildlife habitat. In areas where rare species are present,
habitat destruction can quickly force a species to extinction.
4. Recycle and Reduce Energy and Goods Consumption
Photo SchulteProductions / iStockphoto.
By recycling and (reusing as much as we can, we reduce our impact on the environment. Additionally, by
reducing the energy we consume, we take a little of the burden off our natural resources (and our
pocketbooks). You can also reduce your carbon footprint by first calculating your current carbon
footprint and then reduce the amount of carbon you consume. For more information see: Ten Things to
Do to Reduce Carbon Emissions.
3. Reduce the Threat of Invasive Species
Photo LightScribe / iStockphoto.
The spread of non-native species has greatly impacted native populations around the world. Invasive
species compete with native species for resources and habitat. They can even prey on native species
directly, forcing native species towards extinction. Another way to reduce the threat of invasive species
is to incorporate native plants in your garden and to welcome native animals into your yard.
. Minimize use of Herbicides and Pesticides
Photo BirdImages / iStockphoto.
Herbicides and pesticides may keep yards looking nice but they are in fact hazardous pollutants that
affect wildlife at many levels. Many herbicides and pesticides take a long time to degrade and build up in
the soils or throughout the food chain. Some groups of animals such as amphibians are particularly
vulnerable to these chemical pollutants and suffer greatly as a result of the high levels of herbicides and
pesticides in their habitat.
6. Place Decals on Windows to Deter Bird Collisions
Photo Missing35mm / iStockphoto.
Daniel Klem Jr. of Muhlenberg College has estimated that as many as one billion birds in the United
States die each year due to collisions with windows. You can help reduce the number of collisions simply
by placing decals on the windows in your home and office. Other simple steps you can take to reduce
the likelihood of collisions are to re-evaluate feeder placement, draw shades and curtains during
brightest parts of day, install tilted window glass, and put screens on outside of windows.
7. Slow Down When Driving
Photo Serega / iStockphoto.
Many native animals have to live in developed areas and this means they must navigate a landscape full
of human hazards. One of the biggest obstacles to wildlife living in developed areas is that created by
roads. Roads divide habitat and present a constant hazard to any animal attempting to cross from one
side to the other. So when you're out and about, slow down and keep an eye out for wildlife.
8. Voice Your Concerns and Get Involved Locally
Photo Chris Gramly / iStockphoto.
By letting local and national governments know that you're concerned about endangered species, you're
increasing the likelihood that someone will do something about it.
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9. Change Your Career
Photo Lingbeek / iStockphoto.
This may sound extreme but for some people getting involved in the protection of threatened and
endangered animals is so important that a career change that enables you to work directly with species
of concern may be the most rewarding way of doing so. If you're seeking more information on changing
your career, you may want to check out The Working Zoologist.
10. Share Your Enthusiasm for Wildlife and Nature
Photo Creatista / iStockphoto.
Encourage others to learn about nature, enjoy watching wildlife, and value protecting habitats and
species with which we share this planet.

Tadpoles are the youngest stage of the frog. If you didn't know where they came from, you would think
they were a completely different animal! Tadpoles have no legs and a small round head with a very
small mouth. They have a large tail for swimming and avoiding predators. As the tadpole matures, it
slowly begins to sprout its back legs. The tail starts shrinking, and the head and mouth become larger.
Finally, the front legs emerge and the tail has completely disappeared. Then, the tadpole has finally
become a frog and can travel on land and water as much as it pleases.
Difference between frog and tadpole?
Care of Fish Questions
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Frogs start out their life as eggs. A female frog lays the eggs, and a male frog then fertilizes the eggs. The
fertilized eggs will generally take one to three weeks to hatch. What hatches from the eggs is called a
tadpole. As the tadpole ages and matures, it goes through a process called metamorphosis. Throughout
this phase, the body of the tadpole gradually transforms into a frog.
1. Diet
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When the tadpole first hatches, it is too frail to find food on its own. Luckily, the
remainder of the yolk from its egg is in its stomach when it hatches; this sustains the
tadpole for its first week of life. Once it develops strength and coordination, the tadpole
will begin to feed on algae and other underwater foliage. At around two months into its
life, its diet of plants is supplemented by bugs and small organisms.
Soon after, the tadpole becomes a frog. Young frogs will still eat a diet that includes
algae and foliage. As they mature, they become better at hunting live prey. Eventually,
the staple of the diet of a frog is bugs and worms. A frog's sticky tongue traps insects.
Though their diet consists mainly of bugs, some frogs have been known to eat small fish.

Body Structure
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A tadpole starts out as a body mass with an elongated tail. As metamorphosis takes
effect, it begins sprouting legs and arms and grows small teeth that allow it to eat algae
and small bugs. The body elongates, and the tail shrinks. The main difference, however,
in the body structure of a tadpole is that it has gills. Gills allow the tadpole to breathe
underwater. This is important because it does not have legs and arms yet, or the
muscular structure to support itself on land.
Frogs have a strong muscular structure that allows them to be mobile both on land and
in the water. Their hind legs are long and powerful, and their feet are webbed for
greater swimming efficiency. Most importantly, mature frogs breathe through lungs
instead of gills. Mature frogs can no longer breathe under water.
o

Movement
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Tadpoles have one way of moving: swimming. Tadpoles will stay in the water until they
evolve into frogs. Young tadpoles are not very proficient swimmers and attach
themselves to foliage until they are more developed. As they mature, the tadpoles begin
to learn to swim by moving their tails back and forth.
Frogs, on the other hand, can both swim and hop. The difference between a frog
swimming and a tadpole swimming is the means of propulsion. Tadpoles use their tails,
but frogs have no tails. Frogs use their hind legs and propel themselves forward in a
kicking motion. On land, frogs can move by hopping around, something that tadpoles
are not capable of.