Starry night toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Starry night toad |
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The starry night toad (Atelopus arsyecue) is a special kind of toad. It belongs to the Bufonidae family, which includes many toads. This toad lives only in one place: the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains in Colombia. It likes to live in forests and high-up grassy areas called páramos, usually between 2,000 and 3,500 meters (about 6,500 to 11,500 feet) above sea level. These toads lay their eggs in fast-flowing rivers. They are named for their unique look: mostly black with bright white spots, like a starry night sky!
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About the Starry Night Toad
The starry night toad is a small amphibian. It is known for its striking black skin covered in white spots. This pattern helps it blend into its rocky, mossy home.
Where It Lives
This toad is found only in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains. This area is in Colombia, South America. Its home includes cool, damp forests and high-altitude grasslands called páramos. These places are often misty and have many small streams.
Life Cycle
Like other toads, the starry night toad starts its life in water. It lays its eggs in fast-moving rivers. The young toads, called tadpoles, grow in these rivers before moving onto land.
A Special Discovery
For over 30 years, scientists thought the starry night toad might be gone forever. It was threatened by a serious frog disease called chytridiomycosis. This disease affects amphibians around the world. The toad was also losing its home because of changes to its habitat.
The Arhuaco Community
However, the toad was not truly lost. The Arhuaco people, an indigenous community, knew the toad was still alive. They live in a place called Sogrome in the same mountains. The Arhuaco call this toad gouna. They consider its home a very sacred and special place.
Working Together
In 2019, the Arhuaco community decided to work with scientists. They showed the researchers where the toads lived. This was the first time scientists had seen the starry night toad in over 30 years! This amazing discovery shows how important local communities are in protecting wildlife. It also highlights the need to respect sacred lands.
