AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN NTInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Near Threatened — close to qualifying as Vulnerable. Requires ongoing monitoring.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Silverstoneia nubicola
Cloud Forest Rocket Frog
(Dunn, 1924)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A very small, agile terrestrial frog characterized by its slender, cryptographic body profile built for rapid leaping. The dorsum is typically dark brown, olive, or bronze, often featuring subtle granular texture and flanked by light cream or pale yellow dorsolateral stripes that run from the snout to the groin. A dark brown or black lateral band beautifully accentuates the flanks. The thighs frequently display a bright orange or yellow flash patch on the hidden surfaces, exposed only during leaps. The ventral side is smooth, revealing a immaculate white or pale cream throat and chest in females, while adult males present a dark, melanistic throat coloration.
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Julia Trouin
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).Dendrobatidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Silverstoneia
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Dunn, 1924)
Record Completeness
96%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.
Unknown
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Wet Season
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
Deeply associated with the moist leaf litter of montane cloud forests, humid premontane forest floors, and pristine riparian transition zones. It is typically distributed between 800 and 1,600 meters above sea level, always restricted to the immediate vicinity of clean, shallow, fast-flowing rocky mountain streams and splash zones.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Exclusively diurnal and highly energetic. Individuals active all day over wet stream borders, rapidly leaping when approached. Males perch openly on moist stones, logs, or low fern leaves to project their high-frequency advertisement calls, which consist of repetitive, piercing chirps or peeps.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Exhibits highly dynamic territorial acoustic spacing. Males fiercely defend small sections of stream-border real estate using highly repetitive call structures. Territorial escalation rarely transitions to prolonged wrestling, as acoustic dominance usually settles spacing.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Riparian terrestrial micro-invertivore and active diurnal stream-border insectivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Functions as an active diurnal micro-carnivore eating tiny collembolans, micro-flies, soft-bodied mites, and stream-associated larvae. It forms a key food component for larger semi-aquatic riparian spiders, stream-dwelling snakes, and small predatory birds.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Terrestrial eggs are deposited in small clusters under damp leaves or logs near stream banks. Upon hatching, the adult male actively loads the entire clutch of tadpoles onto his back using water-soluble skin secretions, subsequently transporting them over the forest floor to release them into calm edge waters of rocky mountain streams to undergo metamorphosis.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
1.7 - 2.2 cm
Weight (Grams)
0.6 g - 1.9 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.4 - 10
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 - 14 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
10 - 15
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males2 - 4 Years
Females2 - 5 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Males are slightly smaller and more slender, ranging between 1.7 and 1.9 cm in length. They are characterized by a distinct, darkly pigmented blackish subgular throat region used in courtship and territory defense displays.
Females Multi-lang
Females are physically robust and larger, expanding up to 2.2 cm snout-vent length. They present a completely immaculate, pale cream or pure white throat and ventral region, completely lacking any dark vocal modifications.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Powerful, elongated hind limbs that allow explosive, unpredictable jumping trajectories ('rocket-like' escapes) into thick leaf cover or roaring stream currents when threatened.
Cryptic brown color polymorphism combined with disruptive side striping that renders the active frog perfectly disguised as moving or decomposing wet leaf fragments on the forest floor.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Extreme sensitivity to chytridiomycosis (caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), which has historically triggered localized population declines across high-altitude streams.
Siltation and chemical pollution of micro-streams driven by mountain road constructions, cattle soil compaction, and upstream agricultural runoff.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Unlike classic brightly colored poison frogs, members of the genus Silverstoneia rely entirely on lightning-fast locomotion and camouflage for defense, as they lack the toxic skin alkaloids of other dendrobatids.