Atelopus senex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atelopus senex |
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The Atelopus senex, also known as the pass stubfoot toad, is a type of toad that is now extinct. This special toad belonged to the Bufonidae family, which includes many different kinds of toads.
It used to live only in Costa Rica, a country in Central America. This means it was an endemic species, found nowhere else in the world. The pass stubfoot toad lived in the mountain ranges of Costa Rica, specifically the Cordillera Central and Cordillera de Talamanca. It preferred places high up, between 1,100 and 2,200 meters (about 3,600 to 7,200 feet) above sea level.
What Did the Pass Stubfoot Toad Look Like?
These toads were quite small. Male toads measured about 28 to 32 millimeters (1.1 to 1.3 inches) from their snout to their rear end. Females were a bit larger, measuring 30 to 43 millimeters (1.2 to 1.7 inches).
Their colors varied! Male toads could be bluish-gray, blue-green, black, or sometimes greenish. They usually didn't have any patterns on their skin. Female toads, however, might have had patterns. These patterns were often lighter areas of cream, lemon, or lime green colors.
Where Did It Live and Why Did It Disappear?
The pass stubfoot toad's natural habitat was along the edges of streams in rainforests. These were special kinds of rainforests found in mountainous areas, known as premontane and lower montane rainforests.
Sadly, this toad, which was once very common, saw a huge drop in its numbers. The last time anyone saw a pass stubfoot toad was in 1986. Scientists believe it is now extinct.
The main reason for its disappearance is thought to be a serious fungal disease called chytridiomycosis. This disease affects amphibians like frogs and toads all over the world. Other possible reasons for its decline include changes in the climate, people illegally collecting them for the pet trade, and pollution.
See also
In Spanish: Atelopus senex para niños
