Small or large, smelly or poisonous, there are many types of frogs and they are excellent indicators of the quality of the environment in general. To this day, scientists continue to find new, previously undiscovered varieties of frogs around the world. Recently, tiny frogs [whose scientific name is Eleutherodactylus Iberia, smaller than an American dime, were discovered under old leaves in Cuba in 1996 (“The smallest frog in the world”). Transparent glass frogs have been discovered in the upper Nangaritza Basin of southeastern Ecuador, previously known to live only in an area of ​​northeastern Peru ("ugly" salamander among new species found in Ecuador"). An individual might think that finding new frogs is a good indicator that there are many of them, but frogs around the world are facing mass extinction. In most cases, when I look around in some ponds and streams, I discover that something is missing: frogs. Among the endangered species is the Monteverde harlequin frog which is found mainly in the mountains of Costa Rica (“Why are frogs dying”). Southern and Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs have declined by 95-98% even in highly protected areas such as Yosemite Park (University of California - Berkeley) massive global decline in frogs can be better understood by their inability to keep up with the current pace of global changes. Frogs refer to “any of various tailless, largely aquatic, smooth-skinned jumping amphibians” (Merriam-Webster). Most of these frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed fingers [on the hands and toes], protruding eyes, and are extraordinary jumpers with long, powerful legs. They are often semi-aquatic or inhabit humid areas due to their permeable skin [allowing...... middle of paper ...... on "Pollution causes massive mutation of frogs". BBC. Inc., July 2002. Web. 7 September 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/sci_tech/newsid_2117000/2117263.stmTyler, Michael. J., Wassersug, R., and Smith, Benjamin, “How Frogs and Humans Interact: Influences Beyond Habitat Destruction, Epidemics, and Global Warming,” n.d. Web. 5 September 2011. “Ugly” salamander among new species found in Ecuador. National Geographic News Inc., June 2009. Web. 5 September 2011. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/06/090616-ecuador-newspecies-video-vin.htmlUniversity of California - Berkeley. “Dying frogs are a sign of a biodiversity crisis.” ScienceDaily, August 17, 2008. Web. September 7, 2011. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080812135654.htm “Why Frogs Are Dying.” The Daily Beast, October 2006. Web. September 5, 2011. http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2006/10/15/why-the-frogs-are-dying