Internet Sensation Desert Rain Frog Added to Global List of Species at Risk of Extinction

The desert rain frog, a tiny amphibian that became an internet sensation because of its distinctive squeaky defensive call, has been added to a global list of species at high risk of extinction.

The unusual frog is found only in a narrow strip of sand dunes in southern Africa, where it burrows into the sand to survive in its harsh desert environment.

“It’s a completely unique species and it’s just amazing that it has managed to evolve and adapt to this harsh environment,” says Dr Jeanne Tarrant, the executive director of Anura Africa and co-chair of the IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group.

“It [exhibits] the least typical frog kind of behaviour that you can get. Frogs like it where it’s moist and tropical – and this thing is living in the desert,” she says.

But its highly specialised habitat is increasingly under threat.

Mining Threatens the Desert Rain Frog’s Habitat

Conservationists say diamond mining and planned energy developments are putting the desert rain frog’s habitat at risk. Its population is expected to decline by 20% over the next two decades.

The frog lives in sand dunes just 6 miles (10km) wide, emerging from beneath the sand only to feed and breathe. Because it depends on such a specific environment, it is found nowhere else on Earth.

This makes habitat destruction particularly dangerous for the species.

“If the habitat was transformed, there’s no room for this species to move further up the coast or further down the coast,” said J Alex Nieto Lawrence, a scientist with the conservation group Anura Africa.

Despite the threats, there is still hope for the desert rain frog.

“While it is now at risk of extinction, it is still far from being lost entirely.”

According to Nieto Lawrence, one of the most important priorities is ensuring that mining sites can eventually be restored to a condition where the desert rain frog can once again survive.

Could the Frog’s Popularity Become a Threat?

The desert rain frog has gained huge attention online because of its unusual appearance and squeaky call. But conservationists are concerned that its popularity could have unintended consequences.

Like other distinctive amphibians, the species could become a target for collectors and the pet trade.

“Frogs that are so unique looking as this can become victims of their own fame,” said Benjamin Tapley, curator of amphibians and reptiles at the Zoological Society of London.

The frog’s rarity also makes encounters particularly special.

“Because they’re so rare, it’s exciting when you finally find one,” he added. “They’re extremely cute.”

However, protecting its natural habitat remains the most important priority.

A Wider Warning for Threatened Species

The desert rain frog is just one of thousands of species facing growing pressure from human activity.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) tracks the conservation status of plants, animals and fungi around the world. Its latest assessment highlights how species adapted to extreme and highly specialised environments can be particularly vulnerable as nature loss accelerates.

The IUCN has now assessed 175,909 species of plants, animals and fungi, of which 49,505 are threatened with extinction.

The findings highlight the importance of protecting habitats before species reach the brink of extinction.

Deep-Sea Species Face New Mining Threat

The threats facing vulnerable wildlife extend far beyond deserts and land-based habitats.

A tiny snail found only around superheated springs on the ocean floor has also been listed as Critically Endangered.

Conservationists warn that this and other extraordinary deep-sea species, including snails, limpets, mussels and clams, could be threatened by plans to mine valuable minerals from the deep seabed.

Large-scale deep-sea mining has yet to begin, but companies and governments are awaiting international rules that could allow extraction to proceed.

Interest in deep-ocean minerals is growing because they contain materials that can be used in technologies such as batteries.

Supporters argue that deep-sea mining could be less environmentally damaging than mining on land. However, many scientists warn that extracting minerals from the seabed could damage fragile marine ecosystems that remain poorly understood.

They are calling for a pause while further research is carried out.

Rare UK Tree Among Species at Risk

The warning signs are not limited to exotic animals or remote ecosystems.

Wilmott’s whitebeam, a rare tree found only in the Avon Gorge near Bristol, has now been reduced to fewer than 50 individuals in the wild.

Emily Beech of the plant conservation charity Botanic Gardens Conservation International said the species is being lost because of railway works and an unknown disease.

“I think most people will not know about the real UK treasures that are hiding in plain sight,” she said.

The example highlights how threatened species can be found much closer to home, including in habitats that people may pass every day without realising their ecological importance.

Conservation Can Bring Species Back

While the growing number of threatened species is deeply concerning, there are also examples of successful conservation.

The numbat, a small Australian marsupial that was once reduced to just a few hundred animals, is now making a remarkable comeback following decades of conservation work.

Its recovery demonstrates that extinction is not always inevitable.

With sustained conservation efforts, habitat protection and sufficient support, species that have been pushed to the brink can recover.

The story of the desert rain frog is therefore both a warning and an opportunity. Protecting specialised habitats, restoring damaged ecosystems and acting before populations collapse can give threatened species a chance to survive.

From the dunes of southern Africa to the depths of the ocean and rare trees growing in the UK, protecting nature means protecting the habitats that wildlife depends upon.

Protecting biodiversity is essential for a healthier planet, stronger communities and a more resilient future.

Protecting Wildlife With Healthy Habitats

At Natural World Fund, we support habitat restoration and conservation projects, helping to create healthier ecosystems where wildlife can thrive. By restoring nature today, we can give threatened species a better chance of surviving for generations to come.