Despite their warty appearance, their mating call is a pleasant musical trill. Amphibian populations are declining throughout the world. The loss of forest and wetland habitat is one possible cause. Also, many amphibians return to the ponds and wetlands in which they were born to breed, and if their natal areas are disturbed or lost, these amphibians will not breed. Deforestation reduces woodlands needed by adults.
Fragmentation is also a problem.
As wooded tracts shrink in size, the remaining amphibians become isolated and inbreeding may occur, weakening the species. Because amphibians help us to measure the health of the environment. Amphibians exchange water and air primarily through their skin. In this process, they can also absorb pollutants present in the soil and water. Like a canary in a coal mine, a decline in local populations may indicate a contamination problem.