National Geographic - USA (2020-01)

FROG-SPOTTING, like bird-watching,

takes patience and perseverance.

Like birders, we have lists and our

own jargon. We keep odd hours, swat

mosquitoes, and wear closed-toe shoes

to prevent snakebite. In a world that

is rapidly losing frogs, our group of

amphibian-focused travelers set out

for Costa Rica to find them.

Organized by the nonprofit organiza-

tion Save the Frogs, these ecotours help

to support the growing number of parks

and ecolodges in places such as Belize,

Peru, and Ghana that protect the vital

habitats for these vulnerable creatures.

Costa Rica is home to 149 frog

species. (The one perched on this hel-

iconia flower is a blue-sided tree frog.)

At the peak of the soggy season, we

identified 23 species, but kept hoping

for more. It’s an addictive game full of

disappointment and discovery, chasing

eyes that glow like jewels in the dark.

KICKING IT

WITH FROGS

BY LISA KRIEGER

PHOTO: GREG BASCO, MINDEN PICTURES. NGM MAPS

NORTH

AMER.

SOUTH

PACIFIC AMER.

OCEAN

OCEAN

COSTA

RICA

ATLANTIC

DISCOVERY (^) | TRAVEL