Atelopus boulengeri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atelopus boulengeri |
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Atelopus bicolor Noble, 1921 |
Atelopus boulengeri, also known as the Boulenger's stubfoot toad, is a very special and small type of toad. It lives only in the wet, misty mountain forests of southern Ecuador. This little toad is part of the Bufonidae family, which includes many different kinds of toads.
Scientists have not seen this toad since 1984. This means it might be extinct, which means it no longer exists. However, some places where it used to live have not been fully explored recently. So, there is still a small hope that some of these toads might still be alive in hidden spots.
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Where Does This Toad Live?
The Boulenger's stubfoot toad is an endemic species. This means it is found only in one specific area and nowhere else in the world. For this toad, that special place is the humid montane forest in southern Ecuador.
These forests are often called cloud forests because they are high up in the mountains and often covered in clouds and mist. This makes them very wet and cool, which is perfect for many amphibians like toads.
Why Is This Toad in Danger?
The Boulenger's stubfoot toad is listed as "Critically Endangered" by the IUCN Red List. This is the highest risk category for wild species. There are two main reasons why this toad is in so much trouble:
Habitat Loss
- What it means: Habitat loss happens when the natural home of an animal is destroyed or changed.
- How it affects the toad: In Ecuador, forests are sometimes cut down for farming, building, or other human activities. When the forests disappear, the toads lose their homes, their food sources, and places to lay their eggs. This makes it very hard for them to survive.
Chytridiomycosis Disease
- What it means: Chytridiomycosis (say: kih-TRID-ee-oh-my-KOH-sis) is a serious disease that affects amphibians like frogs and toads. It is caused by a type of fungus.
- How it affects the toad: This fungus attacks the skin of amphibians, making it difficult for them to breathe and absorb water. It can quickly kill many toads in an area. This disease has caused many amphibian species around the world to disappear.
What Can We Learn from This Toad?
The story of the Boulenger's stubfoot toad reminds us how important it is to protect our planet's different animals and their homes. Even small creatures like this toad play a role in their ecosystem. When a species disappears, it can affect many other plants and animals around it.
Scientists continue to study and search for species like the Boulenger's stubfoot toad. Their work helps us understand how to protect other endangered animals and their habitats.
See also
In Spanish: Atelopus boulengeri para niños
