Toads and Frogs

Toads:  True toads are family of amphibians containing over 350 species and are distinguished from amphibians commonly known as toads, by their lack of teeth and generally warty skin. Many species can release toxins from their skin as a deterrent to predators that might otherwise try to eat them.

Scientific name: Bufonidae
Rank: Family

Common names:  Toad

Panamanian golden frogs: are critically endangered amphibians almost extinct in the wild. They are unique to the mountainous rainforests of Panama, where populations have been severely threatened by habitat loss, over-collection and, most devastatingly, by fungal disease. The use of semaphore for communication is most unusual in amphibians, yet these true toads 'wave' at prospective mates and rivals, possibly to overcome the noise made by fast-flowing rivers. Only seen by a lucky few, these precious frogs have become the national animal of Panama and a symbol of good luck.

Scientific name: Atelopus zeteki
Rank: Species

Common names:

• Golden arrow poison frog,
• Golden frog,
• Zetek's golden frog         

  

Darwin's frogs have a highly unusual method of brooding and rearing their young. The males have an enlarged vocal sac in which they brood their newly hatched tadpoles. The tadpoles remain there until they have developed into little froglets, when up to 20 are released by being spat out. Darwin's frogs are also masters of disguise. When threatened, they roll over and play dead until the danger has passed, looking like dead leaves. They were discovered, as you may expect, by Charles Darwin in the forests of South America.

Scientific name: Rhinoderma darwinii
Rank: Species

Poison dart frogs are so named because their poisonous secretions have been used by Amerindian tribes to poison blow darts for hunting. Only three species are dangerous to humans. One of those - the golden poison frog - is considered the most toxic vertebrate on Earth. The beautifully bright colours and patterns of these frogs are a warning to potential predators that they don't make good eating. There could be over 175 species in this family of amphibians, all found in the rainforests of Central and South America. Many species of poison dart frogs are classified as critically endangered. 

Scientific name: Dendrobatidae
Rank: Family

Common names:

• Dart-poison frogs,
• Poison arrow frogs,
• Poison frogs

Smoky jungle frogs are voracious feeders, eating almost anything they can catch in an ambush. Their tadpoles are pretty vicious too. Only a small number of eggs laid will hatch in the large foam nest. The rest remain as food for the cannabalistic tadpoles. If feeling threatened, the smoky jungle frogs inflates itself like a balloon, rising up on all four legs and emitting a high-pitched scream. If they are not too big to be swallowed, their noxious skin toxins might deter predators. They are one of the largest frog species, found in South America's tropical swamps and marshes.  

Scientific name: Leptodactylus pentadactylus

Rank: Species  
Common names:

• Central American bullfrog,
• Smokey jungle frog