Fantastic Frog

Fantastic Poison Frog (Ranitomeya fantastica) - Cordillera Escalera Conservation Area, Peru

 

This is Ranitomeya fantastica a close relative of the frogs I study, R. imitator and variabilis. This is easily one of the most impressive species in the area, like the other Ranitomeya it is small but there is no denying that it is gorgeous. It is an uncommon & endemic resident of the jungles of Peru, found nowhere else in the world besides a relatively small swathe of Eastern Peru. This individual was the first Ranitomeya I encountered about a month ago when I arrived in Peru. I didn't realize it at the time but this color is actually unusual for the fantastica in the area, usually only the head is orange with white on the body. Various areas contain differently colored fantastica and I will be posting some others later on. This species has been a victim of its own charisma and has been smuggled out of the country and illegal harvesting for the pet trade continues. However for most populations the greatest threat is deforestation, this individual lives in a protected areas but many live on private land. Due to the pressures and threats facing this species, IUCN has listed them as Near Threatened.

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