Kingdom Animalia Genus Aromobates Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Family Aromobatidae Scientific name Aromobates nocturnus Higher classification Aromobates Order Frog | |
Similar Frog, Mannophryne, Aromobatidae, Amphignathodontidae, Venezuelan yellow frog | ||
The skunk frog Aromobates nocturnus is a species of critically endangered frog endemic to Trujillo State in Venezuela. It is an extremely rare frog, and no sightings have been recorded since the original description in the early 1990s.
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Description
Aromobates nocturnus has a noxious but non-toxic skin secretion with skunk-like odor. Unlike the related poison dart frogs, this species is fully aquatic and much larger, up to 62 millimetres (2.4 in) in length. It is nocturnal and usually found swimming or sitting in water.
The male protects the eggs that are laid on land. After hatching, the male carries the tadpoles on his back to water where they develop further.
Habitat
The natural habitats of Aromobates nocturnus are small cold-water streams in cloud forests. The species is threatened by habitat loss caused by agriculture, involving both crops and livestock. It could also potentially be affected by disease, such as chytridiomycosis.