Frogs and toads in Panama

Amphibians (Lissamphibia) such as frogs and toads belong to the order of the frogs (Anura) and are not easy to distinguish from one another. Frogs tend to be slim and agile while toads are rather sedate, stocky and slow. Especially in Panama we were able to photograph interesting frogs, which are sometimes very poisonous, so that you have to be careful when taking photos in the jungle for several reasons.

The "Golden Frog" or Panama stumpy foot frog (Atelopus zeteki) is a rare frog from the toad family (Bufonidae), which used to be more common in Panama but is now less common. The gold tree climber (Dendrobates auratus), a frog from the family of the tree diver frogs (Dendrobatidae) is very poisonous. Its favorite food are poisonous ants, whose poison it converts into an equally poisonous secretion, which it releases through its skin.

Taking photos also requires special care. It's damp, cool lenses mist up easily and the lighting conditions are often rather poor. I avoid frightening or dazzling animals with flash units and so high ISO ranges are often the only way out to achieve good image quality. After photo projects with lightning-fast mammals that require short exposure times, frogs and toads are almost a boon, as some pictures are even possible with a tripod - the discovery of the advantages of slowness. (With our sloth photos we didn't get stressed either ;-))

Here are the Wikipedia links to the Frogs shown:

1. Sapo Coral or Smokey Jungle Frog
2. Sapito Limoso Panameno or Panamanian Mossy Harlequin Toad
3. Sapo Trepador or Climbing Toad
4. Black Poisen Dart Frog
5. Rana Cornuda Marsupial or Horned Marsupial Frog
6. Rana Arboricola Enmascarada or Masked Treefrog
7. Panamanian Golden Frog or Cerro Campana stubfoot toad