Name this frog

golden toads? maybe the one in the back is some kind of harlequin? Ithink golden toads were thought to be extinct?

That's what I thought when I saw them too, but I think they were called panama golden frogs, not Toads. They do look just like the golden toads that disappeared a few years ago, perhaps they have been re-discovered?? Not much of a frog person but these guys really cought my eye!

It probably is a harlequin toad from Panama, maybe Costa Rica. I think its a Atelopus zeteki. The golden toad, Bufo periglenes, are really extinct to the science knowledge.

Ok, I'll buy that. I do remember seeing something about Panama on the plaque. Thanks for the help. I'll have to see what info is available on them and if they are ever captive bred. I thought it was odd too that some had spots and others didn't... sexual dimorphism perhapps.

I work with this species at Philly. They are Atelopus zeteki.

Ed

Thanks Ed,

Do you work at the philly zoo? I'm surprised I've never seen them before, are they uncommon in captivity?

Yep,
I'm the amphibian keeper as well as the Lead Keeper there. I've been working there since 92.
They are only in AZA zoos and are now potentially extinct in the wild. The reason that they are only found in Zoos was at the insistance of Panama which allowed collection of the toads to breed them in captivity and preserve them. I'm going to upload a picture of a group of these to show the variety of color patterns in this species.

Ed

Dude, that must be an awesome job! How'd you get it and what sort of education did you need? It's one of those careers I've considered oing for, but am not sure about throwing myself into it.

Its a great job if that is what you really want to do but I am warning you that most Zoos have lousy pay as there are tons of people that want the job. Most Zoos today want a degree in a natural science and/or some kind of animal experience. There are a couple of schools that offer degrees in Zoo Keeping. One is the Santa Fe Teaching Zoo in Gainsville, DelVal in Pennsylvania are two that come to mind.

Ed

Ok, will remember that.

Thanks for the help Ed. Good luck with your career... I congratulate you and your colleagues. The diplays at the serpentarium are the by far finest I've ever seen. Well done.

Thanks for the compliment.

Ed