Golden Frog Day:
Make your own Panamanian Golden Frog Mask
In this activity, children will learn about Panamanian golden frogs, create a frog mask, and learn how to help this critically endangered species.
Age: 5+ years old Gather your Gear
• Yellow construction paper or cardstock • Black construction paper or cardstock • Glue • Scissors • Holepunch (optional) • String • Markers or colored pencils • Frog mask outline (attached)
Get Ready You can help your child make connections by thinking about concepts before the activity. Panamanian golden frogs are native only to central Panama, where they have been viewed as symbols of good luck for centuries. Unfortunately, an epidemic of chytrid, a fungus highly dangerous to amphibians, has eliminated their populations, and the Panamanian golden frog is considered extinct in the wild. Their species is now maintained in carefully managed survival- assurance breeding groups at facilities in Panama and in the U.S., including Zoo Atlanta.
In Panama, Panamanian Golden Frog Day (August 14) is a holiday. Every year, school children dress up as Panamanian golden frogs and parade through the town of El Valle de Anton, alongside the
Golden Frog Day:
Make your own Panamanian Golden Frog Mask conservation staff of the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center. Let’s make Panamanian golden frog masks so that you can hold your own parade for these very special frogs!
Make your Mask
• Cut out the frog mask outline (attached) • Use this outline to trace the frog head shape on your piece of yellow paper.
• Using a marker or colored pencil, draw on the nose holes and mouth (see the frog mask outline for reference.
• Draw circles where the eyes should be.
Golden Frog Day:
Make your own Panamanian Golden Frog Mask
• Using scissors, cut out the circles for the eyes (so that you can see through your mask).
• Get the black piece of paper. Cut out several black spots. • Glue the spots onto your frog face.
• Cut a piece of string (about 18 inches long - adjust according to head size and comfort) and tie one end to one small hole, and the other end to the other small hole.
Golden Frog Day:
Make your own Panamanian Golden Frog Mask
Recap Have a conversation about what you saw/did and questions your child may have.
• Where are Panamanian golden frogs from? • What is the major threat to this species?
Relate Panamanian golden frogs are unique from other frog and toad species. Many species will vocalize to attract females or ward off other males. Golden frogs can often be found near loud swiftly-flowing streams. This makes their vocalizations hard to hear. Instead of vocalizations, golden frogs use a visual technique. They will wave their hands and feet to attract mates and protect their territory. This is called semaphoring.
Wearing your mask, mark off your own territory and defend by waving at other “frogs” that come too close!
It takes a team…. join ours Help us save species by joining the “Zoo Conservation Corps” and raise awareness about wild animals, their habitats and why conserving both is so important. If your family members are on social media, post to show the mask you created and use the hashtag #OnlyZooATL so that we can see all your great work!
Golden Frog Day:
Make your own Panamanian Golden Frog Mask
Want to know more? The major threat to the Panamanian golden frog is chytridiomycosis (aka chytrid fungus), an infectious fungal disease, which has led to catastrophic population declines in many other species. Other threats include the deforestation of habitat for agriculture and infrastructure development, water pollution, and over collection for the pet trade. This species is protected in Panama by national legislation. Populations have been recorded in various protected areas. A successful captive breeding program involving many zoos in North America is in place, although no reintroductions will be made until existing threats can be addressed and resolved. Zoo Atlanta helps support Project Golden Frog and its aim to eventually release golden frogs back into Panama’s forests through fundraising efforts. We also breed animals as one of many participants in the Panamanian Golden Frog Species Survival Plan® (SSP). You can help Panamanian golden frogs by not keeping wild-caught amphibians as pets, stopping the spread of disease by sanitizing your shoes and clothes after travelling, and disposing of trash properly. For more on Panamanian golden frog conservation, go to: http://www.proyectoranadorada.org/
Panamanian Golden Frog
PGF Parade in Panama
Golden Frog Day:
Make your own Panamanian Golden Frog Mask
*credit: Smithsonian *credit: Amphibian Rescue