Niceforo's Marsupial Frog

About the Niceforo's Marsupial Frog

Gastrotheca nicefori (common name: Niceforo's marsupial frog) is a species of frog in the family Hemiphractidae. It is found in the Andes of Colombia (the three cordilleras: Cordillera Occidental, Cordillera Central, and Cordillera Oriental), on the Andean slopes of northern Venezuela, and in the highlands of eastern and central Panama.

The specific name nicefori honors Brother Nicéforo María, a priest and naturalist of French origin. Adult males grow to 73 mm (2.9 in) and females to 82 mm (3.2 in) in snout–vent length. The dorsum is light brown, with the sides being darker than the upper surface. Its coloration may get lighter during the day. The ventrum is light grey or greyish brown. The finger and toe discs are relatively large. The fingers and toes and lightly webbed.

The male advertisement call consists of a number of chicken-like "clucks." The female carries the eggs in a pouch on her back. The development is direct with no free-swimming tadpole stage. Females can brood 26-50 young at a time.

This nocturnal frog lives in lowland forests and montane cloud forests at elevations of 400–2,400 m (1,300–7,900 ft) above... Wikipedia →