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Frogs used for illegal doping in horse racing

Racing regulators kept hearing the reports: trainers were giving their horses a powerful performance-enhancing potion drawn from the backs of a type of South American frog.

But for months postrace testing could not find the substance, a painkiller far more powerful than morphine. Then a lab in the Denver area tweaked its testing procedure, and in recent weeks more than 30 horses from four states have tested positive for the substance, dermorphin, which is suspected of helping horses run faster. 

“We hear about some pretty exotic stuff,” said Dr. Steven Barker, who directs the testing laboratory at Louisiana State University. “Frog juice — this is exotic.” 

The discovery comes as the racing industry is struggling to counter perceptions of a pervasive drug culture. Indeed, dermorphin is the latest in a long list of illegal performance-enhancing drugs that have found their way onto racetracks. Cobra venom has also been used by trainers to deaden pain so that injured horses can race.
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The Frog Prince

(detail from)  "The Frog Prince"
Scott Gustafson 
Limited Edition Artist Proof Prints

No tadpoles here

Carrying out his fatherly duty, a male Oreophryne frog in Papua, New Guinea, guards his clutch and two newly hatched froglets that rest atop the egg mass.

Like many of the Microhylidae family, these frogs bypass the tadpole stage, developing fully within the egg.

Male frogs embrace their clutch each night to keep the eggs moist and protect them from predators such as insects.

Photograph by George Grall 

 

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New frog species found in New York City

Amid the skyscrapers, sidewalks and subways of New York City, scientists have discovered a new species of frog within view of the Statue of Liberty. In fact, the researchers who discovered the frog say the center of its range is Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

The newly identified animal is among more than a dozen distinct leopard frog species. And, while it's fairly common to find new species of animals in the remote wildness or in rain forests, to discover one in marshes and ponds within an urban area such as New York is nothing short of amazing.

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Happy St. Patrick's Day! - from 17 green creatures

On St. Patrick's Day, everyone is Irish!

Here are 17 creatures wearing green for St. Patrick's Day . . .

by Julie Corsi

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by Yazeed Al-Sahly

by Julie Corsi

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by Julie Corsi

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Leaping Google!

Google on February 29, 2012 - celebrate Leap Day and the 220th anniversary of composer Gioachino Rossini’s birth.

Google on February 29, 2008

Google on February 29, 2004

World's smallest frog

Researchers have discovered in Papua New Guinea what they claim is the world's smallest frog. The tiny frog called Paedophryne amanuensis measures around 7mm. Photograph: Christopher Austin/LSU/AFP/Getty Images Source

Frog populations not helped by dinner menus

About one-third of all amphibians are listed as threatened species, with habitat loss the biggest factor. But hunting is acknowledged as another important driver for some species, along with climate change, pollution and disease - notably the fungal condition chytridiomycosis which has brought rapid extinctions to some amphibians. "Frogs legs are on the menu at school cafeterias in Europe, market stalls and dinner tables across Asia to high end restaurants throughout the world," said Corey Bradshaw from Adelaide University in Australia. "Amphibians are already the most threatened animal group yet assessed because of disease, habitat loss and climate change - man's massive appetite for their legs is not helping." Frogs are liquidised to make a "health drink" in parts of South America. Frogs of the stream-dwelling Paa genus are among the most popular for hunting in China. But numbers in some areas have fallen 10-fold as a result of over-exploitation. These frogs could be candidates for sustainable harvesting plans, where hunting is allowed but controlled. Image: Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden – KFBG Rana chensinensis is declining steeply in some areas; a study in Heilongjiang found that the annual catch fell by 99% between 1971 and 1986. The main reason is traditional medicine. Oil made from the female frog's oviduct is believed to be a tonic to the kidneys and lungs, and to cure respiratory ailments. Image: KFBG Frogs and toads are also sold as tonics in the markets of Peru. This stallholder in Cuzco sells "Extracto de Rana", a drink made from the extract of two to three frogs, which is blended with honey, malt and other ingredients. Other recipes call for 30 frogs in a single drink. Image: Esteban Lavilla In western Brazil and eastern Peru, frogs of the Phyllomedusa genus are used as a hallucinogen. Chemicals secreted by the frog's skin and introduced into a human's bloodstream are said to lead initially to vomiting and incontinence, then deep sleep, and finally a period of enhanced sensitivity in sight and hearing. Image: E. Lavilla Leptodactylus laticeps is exported from South America to the developed world. It can fetch prices of 600 euros in European pet shops. In some areas where it lives, in Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay, people earn as little as 1,200 euros in a single year, giving them a real incentive to catch and sell it. Image: E. Lavilla Mantellas are among the most popular frogs as pets. The principal source is Madagascar, from where many amphibians are exported into the pet trade. This species, the black-eared mantella (Mantella milotympanum), is critically endangered. Habitat loss is also a major threat. Image: Franco Andreone/ARKive Source: BBC

The hungry frog

We have a little koi pond in our back yard. One of our favorite amusements is our "froggie." We have watched him grow for the past several years. We were greatly surprised one day to visit the pond and find Froggie with a half swallowed sparrow protruding from his mouth. He caught a little more than he could eat. The following are NOT my photos - but they tell the story very well ... (photos via Cellar)

Little Froggy Magnets

Mini Frog Magnets Hop to it and brighten your bulletin board, fridge or other metallic surface! In hot lime green, these bug-eyed cuties are created from sturdy plastic and measure approximately .75" x .5" and come in a set of 6. $5.95 at Patina

Crucified frog creates controversy

An ongoing row over a sculpture of a crucified frog on show in a Bolzano, Italy, museum gained momentum when a Catholic politician reported the work to the police for public obscenity. The sculpture, which depicts a warty, pop-eyed amphibian nailed to a cross with a frothing mug of beer in one hand and an egg in the other, has been at the center of furious polemics ever since it went on display in May. But the row has heated up after Pope Benedict XVI's arrival in the nearby town of Bressanone for his summer holiday. Right-wing separatist party the Union for South Tyrol said Wednesday it had collected 10,000 signatures supporting the removal of the work, while the president of Trentino-Alto Adige regional council, Franz Pahl, entered his eighth day of a hunger strike in protest over the frog. Local bishop Wilhelm Egger - a strong critic of the work from the start - said on Tuesday that he had discussed the sculpture with the pope, although he would not comment on the pontiff's views on the matter. "The crucified frog has shocked many visitors to the Museion and has hurt their religious feelings," Egger said. Source:ANSA.it

3-D Frog Anatomic Model Puzzle

Remember dissecting frogs in the glory days of high school biology class? This is a more appealing, and more easily repeated way to learn. Highly detailed anatomic puzzle includes 31 parts with stand and illustrated guidebook. A fascinating learning tool and challenge for kids age 8 and older. $45.00 at The Afternoon

Rare white albino tadpoles

Rare albino tadpoles have been found in a garden pond in Wales. The tadpoles have the distinctive pink eyes and off-white skin coloration associated with albinism. Although isolated single examples of albino frogs, toads and newts have been seen before this is the first time a whole group has been found. The pond's owner, who first noticed the white-tinged tadpoles, said he did not see any albino frogs using the pond during the breeding season. Source: Telegraph

Cute or not? Red-eyed tree frog

A frog in a cast

Nicolas the frog recovers from his broken leg in bright blue plaster Source: Daily Mail

Leap (frog) Day

What Are You Doing for Leap Day? Starting February 29th more than 70 members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) will be celebrating "the Year of the Frog!" and holding fun, family-friendly events and programs to educate people about amphibian conservation. Why Year of the Frog? One-third of all amphibians on the planet are threatened with extinction. Amphibian declines are now attributed to a new cause - chytridiomycosis - a disease that wipes out frogs, toads, and salamanders. Zoos and aquariums, with strong public support, will play a major role in preventing the amphibian extinction crisis - one of the most sweeping wildlife conservation challenges of our time. I think in honor of the Year of the Frog, today, February 29th, should be known as Leapfrog Day!

"Just a little froggie" uploaded by corsi photo

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Look, even Google is participating:

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Frog Tape Dispenser You can be the envy of everyone in the office with this adorable frog tape dispenser. With his bright red tongue, he'll dispense the perfect amount of tape for any project. $15.95 from Patina

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Is that a frog I hear? Advertisement calls are the loud calls that male frogs make to attract females. These are the familiar calls most people are familiar with. Some frog species have aggressive calls made by males towards other males, some have distress calls when bitten by a predator, and some have release calls. Sample some frog sounds on this page.

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Frog solar light Frog solar light glows when the sun goes down. Enhance your yard or patio (and make your neighbors green with envy!) with this alluring amphibian. He turns on automatically in the dark and turns off in the morning. No wiring needed. $9.98 at Taylor Gifts

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"He's... Crushing Me" uploaded by michellecollinz

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***** Have fun, enjoy the extra day!