Incilius guanacaste facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Incilius guanacaste |
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The Incilius guanacaste is a special kind of toad. It belongs to the Bufonidae family, which is a big group of toads. This toad is quite rare because it is endemic to a specific place. This means it lives naturally only in one area and nowhere else in the world!
This unique toad is found in the Cordillera de Guanacaste, a mountain range in northern Costa Rica. Specifically, it has only been seen on the slopes of two volcanoes: Miravalles Volcano and Rincón de la Vieja Volcano.
Where Does the Guanacaste Toad Live?
The natural habitat of the Guanacaste toad is in cool, damp places. It likes to live in cloud forests. These are forests that are often covered in clouds or mist, making them very wet. It also lives in "wind-swept elfin forests." Elfin forests are usually found at high altitudes. The trees there are often small and twisted because of the strong winds and harsh conditions.
Scientists believe these toads live among deep piles of fallen leaves on the forest floor. This leaf litter provides them with shelter and a place to find food.
Protecting This Rare Toad
The Incilius guanacaste is a little-known species, meaning scientists are still learning a lot about it. However, we do know that its entire known home range is inside protected areas. This is great news because it means the places where this toad lives are safe from being destroyed. These protected areas help make sure the toad's habitat stays healthy and undisturbed.
