Atelopus exiguus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atelopus exiguus |
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Phryniscus laevis var. exigua Boettger, 1892 |
Atelopus exiguus is a special kind of toad that belongs to the Bufonidae family. It's found only in Ecuador, a country in South America. People sometimes call it the Mazán jambato frog. This small toad lives in the high, grassy areas called páramo and sub-páramo in the Azuay Province of southern Ecuador.
What Does It Look Like?
Adult male toads are about 21 to 27 millimeters long from their snout to their bottom. Females are a bit bigger, measuring 29 to 35 millimeters. They have a strong body with short, thick legs. Their snout (nose area) is pointed. The top of their body and sides can be bright yellowish-green to blackish-green. Their belly is yellow or orange. Their eyes are almost completely black. They also have some small bumps, called warts, on their back. These toads do not have a visible eardrum, which is called a tympanum.
Where Does It Live and How Is It Protected?
This toad's natural habitat (the place where it lives) is in the sub-páramo and páramo areas. These are high-altitude grasslands found in the Andes mountains, between 3,000 and 4,000 meters above sea level. Sometimes, they are also found in areas used for pasture, where animals graze.
This species used to be very common, but its numbers have gone down. There are several reasons why these toads are in danger:
- Habitat Loss: Their homes are being destroyed by farming, building dams, and changes in the climate.
- Chytridiomycosis: This is a serious disease that affects amphibians like frogs and toads.
- Invasive Trout: Trout fish, which are not native to these areas, can eat the toad's eggs or young.
Luckily, Atelopus exiguus lives in protected places. These include the Cajas National Park and the Mazán Protected Forest, which help keep their habitat safe.
See also
In Spanish: Atelopus exiguus para niños
