Chinese and Indian mythology describes a three-legged frog that holds up the world and causes earthquakes when it moves. Frogs and toads are popular characters in literature and are often depicted as wise or clever creatures. Humans have long used frogs as food. We are only beginning to understand the potential medicinal uses of amphibians. Causes of Endangerment Amphibians in general are particularly sensitive to changes in their habitat and in climate because they live both on land and in water, they are both predators and prey, and they have permeable skin.
Many factors appear to be interacting to cause their decline.
Habitat Loss Habitat destruction and alteration has taken its toll on amphibians. Those animals not killed outright are left with no natural habitat. Habitat destruction does not explain the disappearance of the Monteverde golden toad, however. The high-elevation rain forest where it lived is a relatively pristine area, protected as a national reserve since the 1970s. The unexplained, sudden disappearance of the golden toad is not a unique story.