Atelopus pachydermus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atelopus pachydermus |
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Atelopus pachydermus is a type of toad that belongs to the Bufonidae family. It is also known as Schmidt's stubfoot toad. This rare toad lives in the Andes mountains. You can find it in northern Peru and southern Ecuador. The last time anyone saw this toad was around 1995. Scientists are still trying to find out if it's still around.
What's in a Name?
The name pachydermus comes from Greek words. It means "thick skin." This toad is also called Schmidt's stubfoot toad. This name honors Eduard Oscar Schmidt. He was the scientist who first described this species. Another name for it is Oyacachi jambato toad.
What Does It Look Like?
Male Atelopus pachydermus toads are about 44 to 56 millimeters long. That's about 1.7 to 2.2 inches. Female toads are a bit bigger. They measure about 56 to 62 millimeters long. This is about 2.2 to 2.4 inches.
Their snout, or nose, is pointed. They do not have a visible eardrum. Their fingers do not have webbing. However, their toes are webbed. Their back is covered with small, round bumps or warts. The toad's back is yellow. It has dark brown spots, blotches, or lines. Its belly is white, but can sometimes be orange or red.
Where Does It Live and How Is It Protected?
Atelopus pachydermus lives near streams. It prefers areas called páramo and sub-páramo. These are high-altitude grasslands. They live at about 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) above sea level. These toads need a constant supply of water. They lay their eggs in streams.
In Peru, the last time this toad was seen was in 1994 or 1995. This sighting was in the Cutervo National Park. We don't know how this group of toads is doing now. There is a lot of farming happening inside the park. In Ecuador, the toad was only seen once in 1985. Later searches did not find any more.
This species faces several dangers. One big threat is habitat loss. This means their living areas are disappearing. Climate change might also be a problem. Another threat is a disease called chytridiomycosis. This is a fungal disease that affects amphibians.
