The Puzzling Golden Toad Crack the puzzle and reveal the secret word Activity Guide
Did you know that the specific effects of climate change on animals are still unknown? Meet the golden toad and learn why scientists are still puzzled by his mysterious disappearance.
Try This!
Step 1: Set up the time line sheet.
Step 2: Find the seven puzzle pieces and read the information on each.
Step 3: Organize the time line to reveal the secret word.
How do you think scientists study the effect of climate change on species such as the Golden Toad?
Climate Connection
The effect of climate change on species is still unknown and widely debated. Scientists believe that factors such as increased droughts and the spread of a fungus may have led to the demise of the Golden Toad.
The number of Golden Toads people saw declined from 1,500 to zero in such a short period of time. Scientists suspect that conditions related to climate change was the reason for their extinction.
Turn the page over to learn more!
Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY Page 1 www.sciencenter.org The Puzzling Golden Toad Activity Guide
What’s Happening?
The Golden Toad (Bufo periglenes) was an amphibian only found in areas near the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve in Costa Rica. This species strangely disappeared in the late 1980’s, which led to extensive studies on what caused the extinction of this species.
After studying the drastic manner in which this species declined, scientists started to suspect that climate change was the reason for their extinction. Scientists began to study how stress relating to moisture, temperature, diseases and contaminants in combination with climate change could have affected the Golden Toad.
Recent studies also suggest that the species could have been affected by natural occurring weather events known as El Niño. This was proposed after studying how weather has affected trees in the Costa Rican cloud forest over time. But little is still known on how climate change can affect natural occurring weather events like El Niño.
The Golden Toad would remain hidden underground throughout the year, emerging only for a short period during
the rainy season.
Climate Detective Challenge
Find the answer to this question on the Activity Map! What are some factors that
might have contributed to the demise of the Golden Toad?
Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY Page 2 www.sciencenter.org