Panamanian golden frogs grow from 1.4-2.5 inches in length and 0.11-0.53 ounces in weight with females being larger than males.

As their name suggests, their skin is bright gold, but it can also appear orange or yellowish-green. Both genders have the same coloration with smooth backs and stomachs, with some Panamanian golden frogs also displaying spots.

Like most brightly colored amphibians and reptiles, the Panamanian golden frog is toxic; its main toxin is zetekitoxin which was coined from the frog’s scientific name. They keep all their toxins on their skin to deter predators which is so strong that one frog can kill 1,200 mice! The Panamanian golden frog’s toxin affects nerve cells and can prove fatal within 30 minutes causing seizures, and circulatory and respiratory failure.

Its primary habitats are either in the wet or dry forest streams on the eastern side of the Tabasará mountain range in Panama. In 2004, the Panamanian golden frog’s population in the wild collapsed when chytridiomycosis spread, which is a fungal disease that only effects amphibians. Today, there are many institutes breeding the species in captivity to keep the frogs alive.

The Panamanian golden frog is active during the day, hunting primarily for insects such as flies, spiders, wasps, caterpillars, and more. They locate their prey through sight before sneaking up and catching it using their sticky tongue. The more variety in a Panamanian golden frog’s diet, the more toxic their skin will become.

Male Panamanian golden frogs softly call to females to mate and then jump on their backs when they pass by, interested females won’t buck them off. The female will lay 30-80 eggs linked on long strings in shallow water for the male to fertilize. Within 10 days, white tadpoles will hatch and suction cup to the rocks and feed on algae for 6-7 months, eventually turning darker to camouflage. Juveniles go from green to yellow and won’t stray far from their home stream.

Despite the Panamanian golden frog’s name, it is in fact a toad.