@markscherz / markscherz.tumblr.com
Pinned
I get a lot of asks on tumblr, and I of course cannot expect you to scroll through my erratic post history on tumblr before you ask anything (though you can browse my tag #Answers by Mark, if you want). So instead, I have pinned this post that has an FAQ, which you can refer to before submitting a question, to check if it has been asked before.
We are almost ready to publish our second volume, but ... We've gotten ZERO art submissions!
If you like frogs and want to help a little literature and art mag out, we would really appreciate any art you've made or photos you've taken of frogs!!
Please reblog to spread the word and send to any friends you know who might like to contribute :)
You can read our submission guidelines and submit here: https://croaklit.com/submit/
With your help, we can bring frog art to the world!
Help make frog art!
*Scrolls past*
*reluctant sigh*
*scrolls back up*
*rebogs*
Comparing dinosaurs to a Boeing 737-900. Via BBC News
Not gonna lie, there was a brief moment where I thought the y axis was cruising altitude
April 2025's Tiny Reptile and Mini Amphibian pin designs: Argentine Black & White Tegu and Spotted Salamander 🦎
These designs are available as pins and stickers on my Patreon until the end of day today and will ship in April!
These are so cute!
He is indeed a guy
In 2024, scientists discovered seven new species of frogs in Madagascar. Because the whistling sounds these species made resembled the sounds of communicators from the Star Trek universe, it was decided to name the species after the seven legendary captains: Boophis kirki, Boophis picardi, Boophis siskoi, Boophis janewayae, Boophis archeri, Boophis pikei, and Boophis burnhamae. [Source]
So, meet the Boophis kirki I needle-felted for this year's Winter Fandom Kombat! ✨
How has no one tagged the frog guy? @markscherz
AHHHHHH THIS IS THE BEST THING!!!! Thank you @eldar-of-zemlya!
We love you Dr. Scherz!
Also, who else can I message on Tumblr to ask really weird and specific questions about frogs for my fantasy story?
I need a cold weather amphibian, specifically. While magical, it's much more fun to use something that somewhat exists in the real world and make it magical!
So, of the amphibians that survive in the cold weather, which of those live in foresty areas? And of those that are in there, how do they survive? What do they look like?
ARE THERE BIOLUMINESCENT FROGS???
Thanks! I don't really know who else would be suitable. I'll do my best to help.
There really are not a lot of cold-weather amphibians. I think you probably want Boreorana sylvatica (formerly Rana sylvatica or Lithobates sylvaticus), the Wood Frog. They live in forests and can freeze solid and thaw again when the cold passes.
Other than them, there is the European analog, Rana temporaria, and the Siberian salamander, Salamandrella keyserlingii. I do not know how these cope with the cold, but I imagine in a way very similar to B. sylvatica. You can read a bit about cold adaptations in the former in this paper, if you can get access to it (I am sure you can message the authors to ask for the paper and they will be happy to send you a free PDF—NEVER PAY THE PUBLISHER!).
No bioluminescent frogs, but there are quite a few that glow under UV. Boana punctata was the first to have this revealed, but it has since been found to be present in MANY amphibians. Additionally, some species have bones close enough to the surface to reveal the natural UV-fluorescence of their bones. Especially Brachycephalus toadlets have this.
Hope that helps!
Look at this creature. Behold this small man. In the face of it all* he does what he can. And every night, in spite of his scars, with all of his might he sings to the stars.
*Anodonthyla theoi is Critically Endangered due to habitat loss
learning a new meduim? Try fishies…
Hell yes. Excellent approach. This is how I learned vector art.
Frogs work too
It's the hoppiest day of the year!
Here is a tiny frog from one side of the world:
This is Mini mum. That is a 10 euro cent coin.
And here is a tiny frog from the other side of the world:
This is Microhyla nepenthicola. That is a 50 Malasyian sen coin.
Frogs have evolved to extremely reduced body sizes gobsmackingly often. It is one of the coolest things. And basically every time they do this, they become more similar to one another, and also they lose whole structures, like ears, fingers, and toes.
Isn't it marvellous?
Tomorrow I'll be recording a new episode of the SquaMates podcast. So, now is your time: rebagel or comment with your burning herpetological questions you want myself and my co-hosts to answer on the show! Things we don't get to on this episode will be added to the list and we will try to get to them in the future!
This Friday I will hold my Tenure Appraisal Seminar for early conclusion of my Tenure-Track Assistant Professorship and promotion to Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen. It won't be as grand an event as the one pictured here, but it will be more momentous.
Thanks to all ~51,000 of you nerds, Tumblr will be featuring in the Public Engagement section of my talk. Thank you for all your silly and wonderful curiosity. It is a great pleasure to share the wonderful world of frogs (as well as other amphibians, and reptiles) with you all.
The frogblr community has mysteriously disappeared with no notice or explanation. Reblog and add a frog to show @staff we need our community back!
I’ll go first.
Got this picture while fossil hunting a few years back. I thought i saw a rock bouncing down the shale slope into the river. To my surprise it was a frog.
Great news friends! Frogblr is back! Still absolutely no word on why it vanished, but we haven't lost either posts or members! Thanks for helping build the frarmy (frog army)!
In 2024, scientists discovered seven new species of frogs in Madagascar. Because the whistling sounds these species made resembled the sounds of communicators from the Star Trek universe, it was decided to name the species after the seven legendary captains: Boophis kirki, Boophis picardi, Boophis siskoi, Boophis janewayae, Boophis archeri, Boophis pikei, and Boophis burnhamae. [Source]
So, meet the Boophis kirki I needle-felted for this year's Winter Fandom Kombat! ✨
How has no one tagged the frog guy? @markscherz
AHHHHHH THIS IS THE BEST THING!!!! Thank you @eldar-of-zemlya!
