The Nictitating Membrane: The Third Eyelid
Saturday, 31 May 2025
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This short ten minute film by the British Council provides as much information about the life cycle of the newt as anyone really needs unless they wish to become a herpetologist – the scientific term for someone who studies reptiles and amphibians professionally. Even though it was made in 1942 (during World War II no less), I don’t think you will find a more accurate and succinct description of the life cycle of this charming amphibian.
It focuses on the Smooth Newt and with some great photography
for its time, looks at the process from conception to the point when the tiny
but fully-formed newt leaves the pond for land, where it will stay for three
years until ready to reproduce itself. Watch
this wonderful short film below.
Out of the over 4,000 species of frogs on Planet Earth,
around a third of them are considered to be at threat of extinction. Here, Guy
Fenton takes us on a journey, exploring why frogs are so vital to our ecosystems. Fenton also covers how frogs are helping
scientists to create new innovations in the medical field. Told from a non-scientific perspective, this
short video speaks volumes about the importance of our amphibian friends.
One reason (apart from any species has a right to survive without forced extinction because of our actions) can be seen as purely selfish. The frogs of this world may well turn out to be incredibly important to the future of our species. So, conserving them in the wild so we can continue to learn from them is something that we should make every attempt to ensure.
Scientists, for example, are studying frog skins to see how the cells can be turned into new antibiotics. As most of our current antibiotics are now becoming useless because of antibiotic resistance, these new ones are vital – urgent even. More and more bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics – could frogs hold the secret to a new group of antibiotics?
Have a look at this video – it’s very short and you will (most likely) learn something.
