Protected Homes for Rare Mississippi Frogs
An Environmental Article from All-Creatures.org

From

Center for Biological Diversity
May 2015

More than 170 acres of crucial habitat for highly endangered dusky gopher frogs will be protected from development under a land purchase just announced by the Center for Biological Diversity, as well as our local allies and the developer of a planned community called "Tradition" in Harrison County, Mississippi.

Land Purchase Protects Key Habitat for Endangered Mississippi Frog

Dusky gopher frog; photo courtesy USFWS

More than 170 acres of crucial habitat for highly endangered dusky gopher frogs will be protected from development under a land purchase just announced by the Center for Biological Diversity, as well as our local allies and the developer of a planned community called "Tradition" in Harrison County, Mississippi. The purchase of the land, to be owned by a trust, will help ensure the survival of these very rare frogs; the deal is the result of years of effort by the stakeholders.

"Dusky gopher frogs desperately needed this good news to survive," said the Center's Collette Adkins. "I'm glad the developer and the conservation community worked together to protect this area and give us real hope for the survival of this frog."

Once prevalent throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, the dusky gopher frog may now be limited to fewer than 100 adults. In response to a Center lawsuit, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protected it in 2001. When picked up, this frogs covers its eyes with its forefeet -- possibly to protect its face until predators can get a taste of its bitter skin secretions and release it.

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