Banded horned treefrog

Hemiphractus fasciatus

''Hemiphractus fasciatus'', or the banded horned treefrog, is a species of frog in the Hemiphractidae family. It is found in central and eastern mountains of Panama, Pacific slopes of the Cordillera Occidental in Colombia, and northwestern Ecuador. It is a relatively large frog that may readily bite.
A Central American Casque-headed Frog (Hemiphractus fasciatus) This is a Central American Casque-headed Frog, Hemiphractus fasciatus.  This is the only member of the genus currently described from Central America.  All other members of Hemiphractus are found east of the Andes in the Amazon Basin or in Pacific versant rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador.  Casque-heads are primary forest frogs and likely have suffered considerable population declines with the severe deforestation that has occurred in lower Central America.  Hemiphractus are primarily frog eating frogs but other small vertebrates and invertebrates likely serve as prey items.  Female Hemiphractus carry their eggs on their backs.  The offspring directly develop in the eggs and hatch out as miniatures of the adults.  This is one of the diverse mechanisms of parental care observed in the amphibia known as "egg brooding." Hemiphractus,Hemiphractus fasciatus,Hylidae,Leptodactylidae,amphibian decline,casque headed frog,declining amphibians,direct development,egg brooding,frog eating frog,hdemiphractinae,horned frogs,parental care,rainforest fauna

Appearance

Males measure up to 56 mm and females to 59 mm in snout–vent length. They have a distinct, triangular-shaped "helmet" on the head. Colour is
light brown dorsally, possibly with some darker markings. The thighs are often barred. The ventral surface is brown, becoming darker on the throat and chest.

Status

Natural habitats of ''Hemiphractus fasciatus'' are very humid lowland, lower montane, and cloud forests.

The species is threatened by habitat loss and the fungus ''Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis''. Captive colony has been established at the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center, Panama, for possible future re-release into the wild.

Behavior

''Hemiphractus fasciatus'' are nocturnal. When disturbed, they may emit noise. Their defensive behaviour involves throwing back the head and opening the mouth, revealing the bright yellowish orange tongue and interior of the mouth. They can readily bite.

Habitat

Natural habitats of ''Hemiphractus fasciatus'' are very humid lowland, lower montane, and cloud forests.

The species is threatened by habitat loss and the fungus ''Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis''. Captive colony has been established at the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center, Panama, for possible future re-release into the wild.

Reproduction

Breeding probably occurs throughout year. The female carries eggs on her back until hatching. Development is direct, with the juveniles emerging as fully developed froglets.

References:

Some text fragments are auto parsed from Wikipedia.

Status: Near threatened
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAmphibia
OrderAnura
FamilyHemiphractidae
GenusHemiphractus
SpeciesH. fasciatus
Photographed in
Peru