Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki)

Personal Information
Panamanian golden frogs are a bright golden yellow color with some darker spots. There are five Panamanian golden frogs at the Zoo, and they can be seen crawling around their habitat or climbing the glass.

Status in the Wild
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status: Critically endangered. Panamanian golden frogs are under pressure from loss of habitat, over collection and chytridiomycosis. Some scientists suspect that the Panamanian golden frog has been extinct in the wild since 2006. The Seneca Park Zoo is part of a larger conservation effort for these frogs, known as the Species Survival Plan (SSP).

Habitat
The Panamanian golden frog inhabits mountainous rainforests and streams in the rainforests of Panama.

Diet
Very small insects comprise the diet of these frogs.

Although Panamanian golden frogs are called frogs, are scientifically classified as true toads.
These frogs communicate by waving their hands instead of croaking.
Panamanian golden frogs are considered lucky in Panama.
Panamanian golden frogs are poisonous, secreting a water-soluble neurotoxin.
In wet habitat, the frogs can weigh twice as much as those living in dry habitat, 12 to 17 grams compared to 3 to 7 grams.