About 4,000 species of frogs and toads are known to scientists, and another ten to twenty species are discovered each year. They are very sensitive to changes in the environment. Because of this they are disappearing faster than most other wildlife.

	Many frog species become extinct before scientists ever have a chance to learn of their existence. Others are vanishing before our very eyes. Global frog declines are a sad indicator of a decline in the planet's general health.

Frogs lay their eggs in the water. The eggs hatch out into tiny tadpoles which cling to the pond weed. The tadpoles grow larger and breathe through feather -like external gills on the side of the head. At this stage the frog grows legs. At the metamorph stage, the almost mature frog bresathes with lungs and still has some of its tail The adult frog breathes with lungs and has no tail (it has been absorbed by the body).