In the valley of the Toro River, Provincial Reserve Lago del Desierto, Santa Cruz, specimens of Chaltén frogs were found. It is a unique and mysterious species that inhabits Argentinian Patagonia and also Chile.
They usually live in places such as mallines, puddles, streams, and small lagoons at over 500 meters above sea level. The remote and difficult-to-access location gives these amphibians the ability to easily hide.
That’s why this recent discovery by a team of biologists caught the attention of the scientific and environmental community.
They found specimens of Chaltén frogs
The Chaltén frog (Chaltenobatrachus grandisonae) is a small endemic amphibian that lives in the high lenga forests, only in Southern Patagonia. In hard-to-reach places, where cold and shade prevail.
On this occasion, a team of biologists led by Evangelina Vettese from the Anfibia Foundation, discovered two specimens during a survey in December.
The discovery was surprising because this animal had been considered extinct after decades without sightings. Its rediscovery in 1997, thanks to the Argentine herpetologist Carmen Úbeda, marked a milestone in the study of Patagonian species.
Now, this expedition confirms the presence of the Chaltén frog in new areas of the region, expanding the outlook on the distribution of this species.
What this endangered species is like
The Chaltén frog, no more than 5 cm in length, is characterized by its bright green coloration, with golden or brown tones on its back, and large orange iris eyes.
It has a great ability to survive in the inhospitable mountain wetlands, areas near glaciers, and water-saturated bogs. This makes it a fascinating example of adaptation to extreme environments.
This amphibian, living at over 500 meters above sea level, remained hidden for years due to its location in hard-to-access areas, where Patagonian winds and low temperatures prevail.
The projects of the Anfibia Foundation
The Anfibia Foundation, working in El Chaltén for the conservation of Patagonian ecosystems, has called on the scientific community and society in general to join the monitoring and protection of the Chaltén frog.
Through research and environmental awareness projects, the foundation aims to involve the local population in protecting this and other natural treasures of the region.
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