Monte Verde Golden Toad 
Monte Verde Golden Toad
Monte Verde Golden Toad
Charles H. Smith,
US FWS
More images:
Scientific Name:
Incilius periglenes
Other Names and/or Listed subspecies:
Alajuela Toad, Orange Toad, Bufo periglenes (formerly)
Group:
Amphibians
Status/Date Listed as Endangered:
EN-US FWS: June 14, 1976
Area(s) Where Listed As Endangered:
Costa Rica
 
Advertisement
 

The Monte Verde golden toad is a very small toad found in the tropical forests of Monteverde, Costa Rica. It is believed to be extinct since no live specimens have been seen since 1989, but researchers still hope that it continues to live in underground burrows. This species is notable for the striking distinction between male and female. Male colorations are bright orange, and females are greenish-yellow to black, marked with bright red spots edged in yellow. Males range between 39 and 48 mm while females are larger, ranging from 42 to 56 mm in length.

This species preferred wet, montane areas of the tropical forest for its habitat. It was known to occupy a small area of elfin cloud forest on the Cordillera de Tilaran. This area is now known as the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve. This species lived a very secretive life, and therefore very little is known about its foods habits. It may have fed on small invetebrates. Breeding occurred during the rainy season, during the months of April, May and June. Males and females were known to gather in large numbers around small, temporary pools or other water-filled depressions located in the forest. The males generally outnumbered the females, resulting in fierce competition between males. Females would produce between 200 and 400 eggs. After hatching, the young would remain in the pool in larval form for about 5 weeks to metamorphose.

It is not fully know why the species became extinct, but researchers believe that its possible extinction may been caused by prolonged drought, pollution and poison by pesticides and toxins, and climate change which may have occurred naturally or unnaturally. The last seen golden toad was a single male found in the wild in 1989. Extensive searches since then have failed to produce any more records of the golden toad. Today, the entire range of this species is protected, and there are some hopes that the species is simply hiding out until the conditions are right to reproduce again.




Wikipedia Article

This article is only an excerpt. If it appears incomplete or if you wish to see article references, visit the rest of its contents here.
Wikipedia Article
Copyright Notice: This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Golden toad".

Featured Article

The Seven Sea Turtle Species of the World
Sea turtles are graceful saltwater reptiles, well adapted to life at sea. Unlike turtles on land, sea turtles cannot retract their legs and head. But with streamlined bodies and flipper-like limbs, they are graceful swimmers able to navigate across the oceans of the world.

Here, we look at the seven species that can be found today, all of which are said to have been around since the time of the dinosaurs.

Read More...


Advertisement


Endangered Species of Our Planet

Donate, Adopt, Get Involved

EEC Conservation Directory
Donate

Mailing List

Would you like to receive a notice and link when the new Creature Feature is posted?

Enter your e-mail address below:

 

Fun & Games

Are you inspired by endangered animals? Check out our games and coloring pages! More to come soon.
color endangered creatures
play hangman