It’s only about the size of a walnut and one of the most extraordinary animals on Earth: the Darwin’s frog. BILD: ⒸZSL

The dad frog “swallows” his offspring and spits out fully formed frogs

It lives almost invisibly in the damp, mossy forests of Chile and Argentina. Only its soft, whistling call reveals its presence. But its unique parenting style is what makes it so special. The male carries the tadpoles in his throat pouch for about two months until they are born as fully formed frogs from his mouth. This allows the species to live entirely on land. A true wonder of nature!

Unfortunately, this extraordinary frog is seriously endangered. According to a recent study by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a deadly fungal disease is spreading unnoticed.

Amphibians, such as Darwin’s frog, are among the most endangered animal groups worldwide. More than 40% of amphibian species are considered endangered. Their permeable skin makes them particularly vulnerable to environmental toxins, climate change, and diseases such as the chytrid fungus. As with the decline of insects, the same principle applies here: if these sensitive species disappear, the entire ecosystem will be thrown out of balance.