Golden Toad Fact Sheet

Common Name: Golden Toad

Scientific Name: Incilius periglenes, formerly Bufo periglenes

Wild Status: Extinct

Habitat: Cloud Forest

Country: Costa Rica

Shelter: Underground

Life Span: Estimated 10 Years

Size: 3 inches approx

Details

The golden toad is one of the many victims of global decline in amphibians. The causes are not well understood for amphibians or for the golden toad. Because golden toads laid many eggs in shallow pools, some speculate a drought harmed the toad population. Others believe it may be a combination of climate change, air pollution, and disease. As amphibian populations continue to decline, biologists look to the case of the golden toad as a sign of what could happen not just to toads, but any cold blooded creature sensitive to its surroundings.

Cool Facts

• Like many other toads, this species spent much of its life underground, waiting for the rain. • Was found only in Costa Rica in what is called a "cloud forest" due to the constant, cloudy fog. • Females were bigger than males and came in a variety of colors. Males were usually golden in color. • Unlike cane toads, the golden toads did not have poison • The last golden toad was seen in 1989. In 2004, it was considered extinct.

Taxonomic Breakdown

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Bufonidae Genus: Incilius Species: I. periglenes

Conservation & Helping

Although the toads were closely examined and counted each year, scientists were not able to stop the decline of the toad, and they are considered extinct. Their average lifespan are just over 10 years, and no golden toads have been seen in decades. It is safe to assume they are extinct.

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