Panamanian Golden Frog

Panamanian Golden Frog

Scientific Name – Atelopus zeteki

Classification – Bufonidae

Baby Name – Tadpole, polliwog, froglet

Collective Noun – Army, colony

Average Length – Female: 1.8 to 2.5 in; Male: 1.4 and 1.9 in

Average Weight – Female: 4 to 15 g; Male: 3 to 12 g

Life Expectancy – Unknown (In wild); up to 9 years (in captivity)

Breeding Season – Rainy season (mating season)

Incubation Period – 2 to 10 days

Special Features –Scaly, skinny and attractive looking; possesses very highly toxic skin secretions which protect them from predators; use a sign language to communicate among themselves

Family Unit – Males are known to defend territories during the breeding season; no parental care is involved as male and female separate once the eggs are laid

Geographical Distribution – Panama

World Population – Decreasing

Conservation Status – Critically Endangered

Natural Habitat – In the vicinity of mountainous streams of dry cloud forests

Diet – Beetles, flies, ants, caterpillars, springtails, wasps, spiders

Predators – Birds, snakes, fish