Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, 2015
May 7-13, 2023 is Amphibian Week!
You may wonder, why do amphibians need this special recognition? For starters, amphibians are unique. They begin their lives in the water, but most of their adult life is on land. And they are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature relies on external sources, like a rock heated by the sun or a river or lake. Amphibians are sensitive to invasive species, drought, disease, and other changes where they live. So researchers study amphibians because they often show early signs of stressors, like disease and climate change.
There’s another reason to recognize amphibians this week: many are in danger. About one third of all amphibian species are in danger of extinction. Many animals rely on amphibians for food, so when they die off, it affects the entire natural area. Some of the threats amphibians face include disease (like the ranavirus or chytrid fungus), changes in snowpack/rainfall, loss of wetlands, and splitting up their habitats. We need amphibians, and now they need us.
Join the movement on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram May 7-13, 2023. All week Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) and other partners will be sharing information about amphibians, how important they are, the threats they face, and how you can help them. Use #AmphibianWeek, #AmphibianWeek2023 to share.
Daily Themes
Sunday, May 7: Hidden Biodiversity
Monday, May 8: Amazing Amphibian Skin
Tuesday, May 9: Eat or be eaten- predators, prey, and beyond
Wednesday, May 10: Meet an Amphibian Communication
Thursday, May 11: Throwback Thursday: Amphibians Through Time
Friday, May 12: Amphibian Arts and Culture
Saturday, May 13: Action for Amphibians
Learn more from Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC).