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Variable Harlequin Toad
Atelopus varius
The Harlequin Toad exhibits a breathtaking psychedelic pattern of neon colors on a dark background. This diurnal gem lives near rocky streams but is critically endangered due to the chytrid fungus.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Bufonidae
Genus:Atelopus
Species:Atelopus varius
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Water Temperature
20 - 24 °C
pH Value
6.5 - 7.5
Environment
Freshwater / Semi-aquatic
Humidity
80 - 90 %
Day temperature
20 - 23 °C
Night temperature
16 - 18 °C
Ambient temperature
20 - 23 °C
Minimum enclosure
>= 45 L
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the cool, misty premontane and montane rainforests and rocky streams of Costa Rica and western Panama. Critically endangered in the wild. They live on mossy rocks and root systems near fast-flowing mountain streams.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Bufonidae. Commonly known as the Harlequin Toad or Costa Rican Variable Harlequin Toad. Not a true frog, but a small, diurnal, terrestrial toad. It is a key symbol of global amphibian conservation.
Behavior and Habits: Active during the day. Since they live near loud waterfalls, they do not communicate vocally; instead, they use visual signaling called "semaphoring" (waving their hands to declare territories and attract mates).
Morphology: Slender, spigolose body reaching 3.5-5 cm in length. Coloration is a striking aposematic pattern: a deep black or dark brown background covered in brilliant yellow, lime green, orange, or red markings. Females are larger and rounder than males.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a vertical or cubic riparian terrarium (minimum 45x45x45 cm). Furnish with large, smooth river stones, a water filter, branches, and live sphagnum moss. A large, clean running water section (simulating a stream) is essential.
Lighting and Heating: Prefers cool temperatures between 20-23°C during the day, dropping to 16-18°C at night. Avoid temperatures above 25°C, which are lethal. Provide 5% UVB lighting.
Humidity and Hydration: Requires high humidity (80-90%) with excellent ventilation. Stagnant, warm air is highly dangerous. Mist daily with reverse osmosis water, but provide dry rocks for basking and thermoregulation.
Feeding and Supplementation: Insectivorous. Feeds on small prey like micro-crickets, fruit flies, and springtails. Dust prey with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements three times a week.
Compatibility: Males are territorial over basking sites. Best kept in harems (1 male, multiple females) in spacious setups. Never mix with other species.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly susceptible to the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) and heat stroke. Avoid handling as human skin residues are toxic. Maintain pristine water and substrate conditions.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to the cool, misty premontane and montane rainforests and rocky streams of Costa Rica and western Panama. Critically endangered in the wild. They live on mossy rocks and root systems near fast-flowing mountain streams.
Origin
Extra-Amazon South AmericaCentral America and CaribbeanEast Asia
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 6 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Toxicity
- No verified data available
- Life stage
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 6 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 6 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
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Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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