Telmatobius culeus

(Garman, 1876)

Vernacular names
English : Titicaca water frog
French : Grenouille du Lac Titicaca

Classification
Class : Amphibia
Order : Anura
Family : Telmatobiidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Large fully aquatic frog reaching 14 cm in body length. Large flat head, flanks and back showing many skin folds to increase oxygen intake, serving as gills. Coloration is beige-grey to ashy grey with brown blotches on back.

Range and habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Titicaca and nearby smaller lakes in Peru and Bolivia. Lives in muddy and sandy areas of high altitude freshwater lake, at 3810 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species is declining at a very alarming rate because of water pollution and habitat degradation from several other human-related factors.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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