Incilius epioticus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Incilius epioticus |
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The Incilius epioticus is a type of toad often called the Cerro Utyum toad. It belongs to the toad family, Bufonidae. You can find this special toad in parts of Costa Rica and Panama. Specifically, it lives on the Atlantic side of the Cordillera de Talamanca mountain range.
This toad prefers to live in certain kinds of forests. Its home includes old, untouched forests and mature secondary forests (which are forests that have regrown). It also likes cloud forests and highland oak forests. The Cerro Utyum toad is active during the day, which means it is diurnal. You can often spot it walking around on dead leaves on the forest floor.
About the Cerro Utyum Toad
The Cerro Utyum toad is a unique amphibian. It was first described by a scientist named Edward Drinker Cope in 1875. This toad is known for living in specific, high-altitude forest environments.
Where it Lives
This toad's home is limited to a mountain range called the Cordillera de Talamanca. This range stretches across southeastern Costa Rica and northeastern Panama. The "Atlantic versant" means the side of the mountains that faces the Atlantic Ocean. This area usually gets a lot of rain.
Its Daily Life
Unlike many toads that are active at night, the Cerro Utyum toad is diurnal. This means it searches for food and moves around during the daytime. It spends its time on the forest floor, often hidden among fallen leaves.
Conservation Status
The Cerro Utyum toad is currently listed as Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN. This means its population is decreasing, and it faces a risk of becoming endangered. Protecting its forest habitats is very important for its survival.
