AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.ApprovedCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Craugastor noblei
Noble's Robber Frog
(Barbour & Dunn, 1921)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A sleek, long-legged terrestrial robber frog featuring a characteristic dark brown to black face mask, a white or cream-colored upper lip line, and exceptionally smooth dorsal skin compared to other members of its genus. Its body coloration varies from tan to reddish-brown, mimicking forest floor debris.
Added by
Anonymous Curator
Reviewed by
Under Review
Other Names (Global)Regional and multilingual names used for this species across different countries and languages.
Rana de hojarasca de NobleNoble robber frogNobles Raubfrosch
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Amphibia
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Anura
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Craugastoridae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Craugastor
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Barbour & Dunn, 1921)
Record Completeness
94%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Decreasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Carnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Primarily found in undisturbed lowland humid forests and premontane wet forests. It is strongly restricted to the pristine leaf litter matrix of primary rainforests and is rarely seen in heavily altered habitats.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Mainly active at night, though individuals can sometimes be flushed from the leaf litter during overcast days. They spend the dark hours foraging on the ground or climbing onto very low vegetation stems and ferns to survey their immediate surroundings.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Solitary and territorial. Males use faint, localized vocalizations from secluded positions on the ground to advertise ownership and attract mates, avoiding high-density choruses to minimize risks from acoustic predators.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Terrestrial nocturnal sit-and-wait invertivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
An opportunistic generalist carnivore that targets small forest floor invertebrates like ants, beetles, collembolans, and spiders. It is preyed upon by specialized litter snakes, predatory birds, larger amphibians, and small mammals.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Mating involves subtle male advertisement calls during wet periods. After amplexus, the female selects a cryptic, humid microsite deep under logs, roots, or dense leaf litter layers to lay the terrestrial, direct-developing eggs.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
2.8 - 6.5 cm
Weight (Grams)
3 g - 16 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.15 - 45
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
10 - 15 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
30 - 45
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males3 - 6 Years
Females4 - 8 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Males are notably smaller and more slender than females, possesses internal vocal sacs, and have slightly narrower heads relative to their overall body proportions.
Females Multi-lang
Females reach much larger dimensions, showing a thicker, more robust abdominal structure adapted to accommodate and support large, unpigmented terrestrial eggs.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Elongated hindlimbs and highly developed thigh musculature, enabling powerful, rapid leaps over long distances to effectively evade cursorial forest floor predators.
Direct embryonic development inside terrestrial egg capsules, bypasses the aquatic environment entirely to avoid riverine fish and macro-invertebrate predation during early life stages.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Deforestation and rapid canopy clearance for logging, pasture creation, and agriculture, which destroys the humid leaf litter microclimate required for skin respiration and egg survival.
Historical and ongoing pressure from chytridiomycosis outbreaks, combined with rising temperatures that disrupt the continuous high humidity levels of forest floor microhabitats.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
This species exhibits remarkably smooth skin on its back compared to its close forest-floor relatives, a trait that makes it look polished and allows it to slip easily through tight gaps in dense wet leaves.