Despite its common name, the Panamanian golden frog is a true toad.It was previously considered a subspecies of Atelopus varius, but is now classified as a separate species.. Without human intervention, it's possible that this species may be extinct within the next five years. At The Maryland Zoo, Panamanian golden frogs are one of our primary conservation species. Today, despite being extinct in the wild, Panamanian golden frogs remain an important cultural symbol and are illustrated on decorative cloth molas made by the Kuna people. Panamanian Golden Frog information. Atelopus zeteki. The male is smaller and typically a darker shade of yellow-brown. Panamanian Golden Frog. Description. Chytrid Fungus, over harvesting, and habibat destruction all contribute to the status of the species. Panamanian golden frogs are critically endangered amphibians almost extinct in the wild. Panamanian golden frogs have a distinctive gold, yellow or yellow-green skin colouration that is generally spotted with black, though the young toads are green in colour. Panamanian Golden Frogs communicate with semaphores (visual signals), a hand waving motion that is continuing to be researched. Cool Animal Fact. Average Length – Female: 1.8 to 2.5 in; Male: 1.4 and 1.9 in. These animals protect themselves from predators with unique, poisonous skin secretions. Panamanian Golden Frogs communicate with semaphores (visual signals), a hand waving motion that is continuing to be researched. Some believed when one of these frogs died, it would turn into a golden talisman known as a huaca. The frog’s bright coloring warns predators of its toxicity; ingesting its poison can cause cardiac arrest, brain damage, and muscle damage. Endangered. ‘Panamanian golden frogs’ are also known as ‘golden arrow poison frogs’, ‘Zetek’s golden frogs’ and ‘golden frogs’, and despite their common name, they are toads, not frogs. Panamanian golden frogs are native to the wet rainforests and dry cloud forests of the Cordilleran Mountains that run like a spine through western-central Panama in Central America. Common Name: Panamanian Golden Frog, Zetek’s Golden Frog Scientific Name: Atelopus zeteki Family: Bufonidae – True Toad family Location: Panama Max Size: 2.4 inches (63 mm) for females, 1.8 inches (48 mm) for males While the name for this cutie is the Panamanian Golden Frog, it is technically a toad since it’s from the family Bufonidae. They feed on a wide variety of small invertebrates (ants, beetles, flies, wasps, silverfish, springtails, spiders and caterpillars) in the forests near their streams. Panamanian Golden Frog. They’re very toxic and can be toxic even just to the touch. This toads have similar coloration, which is usually uniform golden yellow with one to several large black dorsal spots. Location in the Zoo. Panamanian Golden Frog Scientific Name: Atelopus zeteki Conservation Status: Critically endangered Where to see them: Scaly Slimy Spectacular Fun Facts: Golden frogs produce toxins in their skin that make them noxious meals for predators. There are some Panamanian Golden Frogs in zoos and other conservation breeding programs so all hope isn’t lost yet. Amazing Facts About the Panamaian Golden Frog. Adult Panamanian golden frogs at the Zoo receive a diet of bean beetles, fruit flies and crickets. Once a male Panamanian golden frog has attracted a female's attention, and she comes into his territory, he climbs onto her back and holds on tight (attaching himself to the female's forelimbs with a strong grasp). Reptile & Amphibian Building. The scientific name of the Panamanian golden frog is Atelopus zeteki and it is from the family Bufonidae, the family of true toads. It is also referred to as the Zetek’s Golden Frog because the … Once a male Panamanian golden frog has attracted a female's attention, and she comes into his territory, he climbs onto her back and holds on tight (attaching himself to the female's forelimbs with a strong grasp). The females of this species are up to twice the size of an average male. The skin color of the golden frogs ranges from light yellow-green to bright gold, with some individuals exhibiting black spots on their backs and legs. Some species (with the Panamanian Golden Frog presumed to be one of them) are now extinct in the wild and exist only in the seclusion of centers such as the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center (EVACC), where Kolbert sees species hanging on to existence by a thread. The scientific name for this species is Atelopus zeteki and is why this tiny cute collectible frog is named, "Zeteki." Range. They use their eyes to find prey. Classification – Bufonidae. The Panamanian golden frog is predominantly an insectivore. The Panamanian golden frog is small and bright yellow, with black spots on its legs and back. Scientific Name – Atelopus zeteki. only seen by a lucky few, these precious frogs have become the national animal of Panama and a symbol of good luck. they will also usually have several black splotches on their back and legs, although some of them have no black at all.