IUCN Species of the Day: Demonic Poison Frog

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm)

Photo credit: Karl-Heinz Jungfer

 

The Demonic Poison Frog (or Yapacana’s Little Red Frog), Minyobates steyermarki, is listed as ‘CRITICALLY ENDANGERED’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. It is a small but poisonous frog that reaches lengths of only 14-16mm. Its range is probably less than 10km², in humid montane forest habitats on the Cerro Yapacana, in southern Venezuela.

The Demonic Poison Frog is under major threat from the destruction and degradation of its habitat through open cast gold mining and its associated pollution and fires, with additional habitat loss resulting from wildfires. It is also under threat from over-collection by the pet trade.

The Demonic Poison Frog is listed on Appendix II of CITES, meaning that trade in this species is regulated. Furthermore, Cerro Yapacana is a Venezuelan Natural Monument, which may offer some protection to the species.

 

Geographic Range of the Demonic Poison Frog

Credit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™

 

To learn more about the Demonic Poison Frog, click here.  Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ by clicking their logo below.

 

 

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To learn more about the Bush Warriors “Species of the Day” feature, please click here and read up on our initiative to raise awareness about the loss of earth’s biodiversity.

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