Encountering animals in their natural habitats and just going about their daily lives is a very surreal experience, more so when said animals are rarely ever seen anymore.
Human developments like fields for agriculture and houses for residential purposes severely affect the survival rates of endemic species, with most of them being driven to extreme situations, and unable to find suitable food and shelter.
Such is the case for the Spiny Tree Frog (scientific name Nyctixalus spinosus), a species of frog endemic to the Philippines. It’s usually spotted in Mindanao, Leyte, Bohol, and Basilan, but hasn’t been sighted as of recently. That is, until around February 10 when a specimen from this species was spotted in the mountains of Eureka in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.
Photos taken by Melbert Baul illustrate the special frog resting on top of a leaf, just minding its own business. Its beautiful brownish spiny skin and captivating eyes are a rare sight to be had in this day and age! White spots can be seen in various parts of its body, more frequently occurring towards its extremities.
Such rare and interesting sightings should be treated as neutrally and as carefully as possible, so as not to disturb it further and affect its daily life.
We should take into account that these creatures are in danger of being extinct, so small conservation efforts such as advocating for endangered species awareness and remembering the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) are crucial to ensuring animals such as the Spiny Tree Frog are able to live out their lives in peace.
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