Human Health
There's a common myth that if you touch a warty toad, you'll get warts. It's completely untrue, but there are others ways that herp health is connected to human health.
There are stories throughout history of frogs falling from the sky, and while they may sound crazy, they're actually true! There have been news accounts of it as recently as 2005 in Serbia. What causes this kooky phenomenon? Strong winds pass over a body of water that has many frogs in it, pick them up, and drop them somewhere else.
Croaks of Caution
Do you know what a bioindicator is? It is something living, like a plant or animal, that tells you about the environment it is living in. If the plant or creature is healthy and thriving, it means the environment is healthy and good. If the plant or animal starts disappearing or getting sick, it means something is changing in the environment. Frogs are good bioindicators because they are intimately tied to both water and land. They live part of their life in each habitat. They are very sensitive to any changes in the environment and can tell us when problems are developing at the ecosystem level.
Back in 1995, a group of students in Minnesota were outside exploring surrounding swamps and ponds. These students found deformed frogs with things like extra legs and eyes, and they reported it to the local government. No one knew why the frogs were deformed in the beginning, but researchers eventually found that, among other things, there were high levels of farm pesticides and fertilizers in the water where the frogs were living. Since then, much more research has been done on the potential harm pesticides and synthetic fertilizers could be causing in the environment, as well as what it means for human health.
When people notice changes in bioindicators, they can look into the problems and start to develop solutions. In response to the deformed frogs in Minnesota, many people are now pushing for the government to regulate the use of the pesticides and reduce how much ends up in the environment. Other people have decided that since pesticides are poisons, it's bad to use them at all. What do you think should be done?
Protecting the Earth protects all species, including humans. As you create your green classroom and expand your green curriculum, always try to remember to show how everything is interconnected. When discussing ways to protect herps, ask whether these activities protect other species as well. What have your students already learned that can be applied to various issues?
Frog Pharmaceuticals
Some frogs make their own poison, kind of like how people sweat. The slime on their bodies has different types of poisons to protect them from predators. Tribes in the rainforest have used these poisons on the tips of spears and arrows for generations, and more recently, scientists have been investigating medical uses for frog slime.
According to the San Diego Zoo, one laboratory has developed a new painkiller from the substances produced by the phantasmal poison frog. It is 200 times more effective than some of the strongest human-made painkillers, but it doesn't have all of the bad side effects! Poison frog secretions also show promise for the creation of muscle relaxants, heart stimulants, and even drugs to help people with AIDS. It is important to protect frogs so that humans can learn from them and use their unique adaptabilities in ways that can benefit the whole planet.
