PANAMANIAN GOLDEN FROG

ORDER

Anura (frogs and toads)

FAMILY

Bufonidae

HABITAT AND RANGE

Panamanian Golden Frogs live in the tropical forests around southern Mexico and northern South America.

IDENTIFICATION

Small, males are about 35-40mm, females 50-55mm. Golden yellow or orange in color, with black markings sporadically on body.

DIET

Panamanian golden frogs eat insects, spiders, millipedes, and other small invertebrates.

REPRODUCTION AND LIFESPAN

During the rainy season, Panamanian Golden Frogs mate and lay a clutch (200-620 eggs per clutch) of eggs in a small puddle. They can live for over 12 years. Males stay behind to defend the clutch of eggs when laid, and also will transport tadpoles to another puddle, if the current one is at risk of drying out.

NOTES

Panamanian Golden Frogs have adapted over generations so that they do not need a consistent source of water to survive. They are able to do this because of the extremely humid climate of the rainforest. Like most frogs, Panamanian Golden Frogs secrete a poisonous toxin through their skin, for protection. They are most likely extinct in the wild.