Darien stubfoot toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darien stubfoot toad |
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| A male Darien stubfoot toad | |
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| A female Darien stubfoot toad | |
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Atelopus
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| Species: |
certus
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The Atelopus certus, also known as the Darien stubfoot toad or Toad Mountain harlequin frog, is a special type of toad. It belongs to the Bufonidae family, which includes true toads. This toad is found only in Panama.
Contents
Where Does This Toad Live?
This unique toad lives only in the Darien area of eastern Panama. Its original discovery place was a mountain called Cerro Sapo. "Cerro Sapo" means "Toad Mountain" in Spanish, which is how the toad got one of its common names.
What Kind of Home Does It Like?
The Darien stubfoot toad lives in tropical forests on mountains. These forests can be either high up (montane) or a bit lower (submontane). It needs forest streams to breed. The baby toads, called tadpoles, also grow up in these streams.
Why Is This Toad in Danger?
The Darien stubfoot toad is facing serious threats. It is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
The Chytrid Fungus Threat
The biggest danger to this toad is a disease called chytridiomycosis. This disease is caused by a special fungus that attacks amphibians like frogs and toads. It is spreading across Central America and harming many species.
Losing Their Homes
Another problem for these toads is habitat loss. This happens when their forest homes are cut down or changed by humans. Luckily, a large part of their living area is inside the Darién National Park. This park is a protected area and a World Heritage Site, which helps keep their habitat safe.
Helping the Darien Stubfoot Toad
Because many other Atelopus species are disappearing quickly, the Darien stubfoot toad is a very important animal to save. Scientists are working on "ex situ" conservation for this toad. This means they are trying to protect the toads outside their natural habitat.
In June 2010, a group of conservation partners went on an expedition to the Darien. They were part of the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project. They brought some of these toads back to start a special breeding program. This program is at Summit Municipal Park near Panama City. The goal is to create a safe population of these toads. A documentary film about this rescue effort, called Mission Critical: Amphibian Rescue, was shown in 2011.
Images for kids
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A male Darien stubfoot toad calling out.
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A pair of Darien stubfoot toads, with the female in the foreground.
See also
In Spanish: Atelopus certus para niños
