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| Puerto Rican Crested Toad Peltophyrne lemur Description This toad is 3 to 4 inches long and weighs 1.75 to 5.25 ounces, with males being significantly smaller than females. Males are olive green and gold in color, females are dull brown. The skin is textured and bumpy, with females having rougher skin. This species is distinguished by a high crest above the eyes and a long, upturned snout.
Distribution and Habitat The only toad native to Puerto Rico, this species is confined to that island's Guanica National Forest, where it can be found in dry, semi-arid regions around pool areas, vegetated offshore islands, cliffs, rock outcrops, etc. Diet The Puerto Rican crested toad feeds on insects, worms, larvae, and other invertebrates. Reproduction Breeding usually follows heavy rains, after which up to 15,000 eggs are laid in long, black strands. Toadlets hatch in 18 days, and then clump together to save body moisture as they move away from breeding ponds. Habits and Behaviors Crested toads are solitary and nocturnal. Conservation Status The Puerto Rican Crested Toad was thought to be extinct until 1967. Now an endangered species, there are only a few hundred left in the wild, and only about 150 in captivity. The decline of this species is due primarily to increasing human populations, as well as to the introduction of the giant marine toad, which competes for food and breeding sites. Scientific Classification phylum Chordata |
| SKC Films Library >> Science >> Zoology >> Reptiles and
Amphibians >> Order Anura This page was last updated on May 22, 2017. |
