The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is doing its part to help prevent a critically endangered amphibian from going extinct. The Puerto Rican crested toad is only found in Puerto Rico, where it’s the only native toad in the area. The Jacksonville Zoo bred and raised over 24,000 Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles this year. The team then carefully packed them in boxes and shipped the tiny creatures to Puerto Rico, where they will be released into ponds.
What Is a Puerto Rican Crested Toad?
Puerto Rican crested toads (Peltophryne lemur), known locally as sapo concho, are native to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Sadly, the amphibian is now extinct from the Virgin Islands and is only found in Puerto Rico. The crested toad can be identified by the bony crest on its head, its bumpy skin, upturned nose, and gold-colored eyes. The little toads are only about two to five inches long.
The crested toad likes to hide in cavities underground. It will use spider lairs, crab burrows, and other abandoned nests for its home. Because the toads are nocturnal and remain hidden in small crevices during the day, they can be hard to spot except during breeding season, when they become more active.
What Do Puerto Rican Crested Toads Eat?
The crested toads are carnivorous and feast on a varied diet of insects, arachnids, and other invertebrates. As tadpoles, they eat algae and will scavenge dead insects or other dead tadpoles.
The Puerto Rican Crested Toad Was Once Thought to Be Extinct
According to the Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservancy, the crested toad was considered extinct in the 1960s. However, the species was spotted in northern Puerto Rico in 1967. In the 1980s, the conservancy developed partnerships with zoos and aquariums around the world to begin breeding the toads and releasing them back into their native environment.
Over 50,000 Tadpoles Released by the Jacksonville Zoo Since 2011
According to a press release from the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 24,485 Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles were shipped this year to Puerto Rico for release. The zoo began its partnership with the Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservancy in 2011. Since then, the zoo has released 51,117 tadpoles into Puerto Rico’s wild ecosystems.
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