earthstory:

natgeo Video by @joelsartore|

Critically endangered, the Lake Titicaca frog is fully aquatic, and has wrinkly skin which it breathes through in a process called ‘cutaneous respiration’. They are also called the ‘push up frog’ because they do little push-ups that drive water along their
skin to absorb oxygen, an adaptation for living in cold water.  They have adapted to what is often called the highest navigable lake in the world, with a surface elevation of 12,507 ft.

Sadly, Peruvians consider the Lake Titicaca frog to be an aphrodisiac when eaten. The animals are mixed with honey, the roots of a local plant, and several other products then are run through a blender and swallowed as a “thick shake.” Frogs are illegally harvested
and smuggled to markets where they are killed in this manner, dramatically increasing this species’ slide to extinction.

#Photoark# LakeTiticacafrog #criticallyendangered