Romeo, a frog, was supposed to be the last of his type on the globe not too long ago.
But earlier this year, Romeo, a lonely water frog from Sehuencas, received a favor from fate, and several scientists also contributed to his well-being.
Researchers found a mate for Romeo in the forests of Bolivia and they played matchmaker for the couple.
“The first date between Romeo, once the last-known Sehuencas water frog, and Juliet … went so well that the two have been living together in Romeo’s aquarium since,” Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC) told The Dodo in a statement.
The pebble-lined aquarium where Romeo had been living has transformed into a veritable love nest.
“Romeo had stopped calling [making a kind of singing sound] at the end of 2017, but started to call again March 1, right after he and Juliet were placed together in the aquarium he’s been living in,” GWC wrote. “They have been together there since.”
The aim isn’t just true love — the future of this type of frog could depend on Romeo and Juliet’s courtship going smoothly.
“When the fate of an entire species is on the line, there’s really no time for taking it slow before committing to moving in together,” Teresa Camacho Badani, chief of herpetology at Museo de Historia Natural Alcide d’Orbigny in Bolivia, said in a statement.
“Romeo has been really sweet to Juliet, following her around the aquarium and sacrificing his worm meals for her. After he’s been alone for so long, it’s wonderful to see him with a mate finally.”
If all goes well, there will soon be a tadpole nursery, where Romeo and Juliet’s offspring can grow up, with the aim of returning the frogs to the forest, helping to increase the wild population.
People are able to see and learn more about these uncommon animals while waiting to see if Romeo and Juliet are successful in starting a family. Romeo has resumed dancing in addition to singing once more.
Experts on water frogs said they have never seen him behave in the way he has since meeting Juliet, according to GWC, which includes “rapidly wiggling the toes on his hind feet while he’s near Juliet, possibly a species-specific act aimed to wow the female.”
Whatever ends up happening between the couple, it’s clear that, at the very least, they’re both more starry-eyed than star-crossed.
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