Panamanian golden frog

Atelopus zeteki

The Panamanian golden frog is a small toad-like amphibian linked to Neotropical forest streams. It is treated here as a solitary nocturnal carnivore.

Key facts

Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki) is a carnivore animal classified as Amphibian · Anura · Bufonidae.
Primary habitats are freshwater · forest, with a range across Neotropical.
Activity is nocturnal, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is CR (Critically Endangered).
The Panamanian golden frog is a small toad-like amphibian linked to Neotropical forest streams.
It uses clear forest streams and damp ravines.
Typical lifespan: 4-15 years

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

It uses clear forest streams and damp ravines. Both freshwater and surrounding forest are necessary for its life cycle.

Body length is about 3-6 cm and weight about 3-15 g. Golden to yellow skin with dark marks likely functions as warning coloration.

It is solitary and treated as nocturnal. Along noisy streams, it can use visual signals such as forelimb waving.

It is carnivorous, taking small insects and other invertebrates. It forages on damp ground near streams.

Breeding is tied to freshwater edges, and eggs or larvae depend on aquatic habitat. Its life history is adapted to flowing-water settings.

Its conservation status is CR. Habitat change and disease have made conservation breeding especially important.