The Floridian Bog Frog

How is the Florida Bog Frog unique to Florida?

The Floridian Bog Frog is a rare amphibian only found in the northwestern regions of Florida. The Bog Frog is a yellow-brown color with a yellow stomach. It can only exist in a specialized and specific environment found in Florida. However, due to this limited environment, its habitat is severely threatened due to urbanization. It is currently listed as a threatened species in the state. The Bog Frog's population in the future will be dependent on humans putting protections on their habitat.

There are many ways we can help the Florida Bog Frog regain the populations it once had. One of the main ways to do this is to limit urban expansion, urban sprawl, and pollution as much as possible. Some ways we can do this is to focus on revitalizing existing cities over building new suburbs. Furthermore, we can try to influence our local and state legislation to protect these areas by creating nature preserves that cannot be built upon. Also, efficient agricultural techniques like drip irrigation can be used to limit nutrient runoff and sediment pollution in their habitat. Overall, we should lessen our impact and consumption of the earth’s resources to limit climate change and pollution in order to protect the Earth's biodiversity.   

The Florida Bog is an endemic species. An endemic species is a species that is located on only a small part of the Earth, in this case, three counties in Florida. Therefore, it makes the frog very susceptible to endangerment and extinction. Also, the Bog Frog is an indicator species. An indicator species shows the impact of environmental change and the health of an ecosystem. This is due to the specific niche the organism exists in. If their environment shifts, even just a small amount, it leaves their populations very susceptible to dramatic decreases. Due to these characteristics that the frog possesses, it is extremely crucial that we actively protect and preserve the Florida Bog Frog’s habitat. 

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“Florida Frogs and Toads.” Florida Museum, www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-herps/florida-amphibians-reptiles/frogs-toads/. Accessed 5 Apr. 2021.

“Florida Bog Frog (Lithobates Okaloosae).” INaturalist, www.inaturalist.org/observations/7234809. Accessed 8 Apr. 2021.

“Florida Bog Frog (Lithobates Okaloosae).” INaturalist, www.inaturalist.org/observations/15432753. Accessed 8 Apr. 2021.

Gomes Da Silva Neto, Jeronimo & Gorman, Thomas & Bishop, David & Haas, Carola. (2014). Population Demographics of the Florida Bog Frog (Lithobates okaloosae). Southeastern Naturalist. 13. 128-137. 10.1656/058.013.0113. 

“Eglin Air Force Base Wildlife Management Area.” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, myfwc.com/recreation/cooperative/eglin-air-force-base/. Accessed 13 Apr. 2021.

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