Posted by WCS photo by Julie Larsen Maher
Meet one of the more amazing offspring at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo World of Reptiles exhibit — a critically endangered Panamanian golden frog toadlet.
The baby frog’s skin is not the golden color of the adult, but rather green and black to match the moss growing around its Montane stream habitat, WCS said in a statement released with the photos. “This color variance provides the advantage of camouflage for youngsters. The golden color change comes about as the toadlet matures into a juvenile.”
Breeding occurs during the dry season when the stream water flows at a slower rate, WCS added. “This species must have flowing water, however, for mating to take place. Interestingly, Panamanian golden frogs communicate with hand gestures — much like sign language.”
Adult females are about 4 to 5 inches, a bit larger than the males.
The New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society operates both the Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium. The charity also funds conservation programs around the world.
WCS photo by Julie Larsen Maher
Panama’s golden frog is a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Now researchers are fighting to save the rare amphibian from a naturally occurring — and deadly — fungus.
Watch this video about the Panamanian golden frog:
Video by Wild Chronicles, from National Geographic Mission Programs
Related NatGeo News Watch entries:
Are Humans Now Eating Frogs to Extinction?
Frog With Green Blood, Turquoise Bones Found in Cambodia
Warming is Killing Yellowstone’s Amphibians, Researchers Find
Four out of Ten Amphibians in Decline, New Study Finds
Tree Frog Once Thought Lost Is Found
Researcher Licks Poison Frogs in Pursuit of Science (includes video)
