A fungus called chytrid is responsible for the extinction of 90 frog species once found all over the world. It is a danger to the green and golden bell frog (Ranoidea aurea), which is not only endangered, but sports the colors of Australia's national sports teams. So it may be quite appropriate to know the these frogs took refuge in an area of Sydney that was slated to be developed for the Sydney Olympics in 2000. They were discovered thriving in a closed brickyard, which was then eliminated from development and declared a frog sanctuary.
The frogs were drawn to the discarded bricks, which not only retain heat from sunlight, but also contain "frog-sized holes." Studies in the years following the discovery show that keeping the green and gold bell frog warm in winter causes them to be resistant to chytrid fungus infection. Conservationists are building small greenhouses with bricks inside, which they call "frog saunas" to help the species thrive. Read about the frog saunas for the green and golden bell frogs of Sydney at ABC. If you live in eastern Australia and would like to build your own frog sauna, there are instructions for how to do that. -via Metafilter
(Image credit: Bernard Spragg)
