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.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Craugastor rugosus
Rugose Robber Frog
(Peters, 1873)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A medium-sized terrestrial frog with a distinctively robust, toad-like appearance. Its dorsal skin is highly tuberculated and wrinkled, featuring characteristic hourglass-shaped ridges on the upper back. Coloration is mainly dark brown, grey, or black, while the inner thighs display a striking pattern of alternating black and bright scarlet red bars.
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Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
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).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.(Peters, 1873)
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.
Stable
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
Inhabits humid lowland and montane forests, primarily found within dense leaf litter on the forest floor or along the margins of rocky streams. It ranges from sea level up to approximately 1200 meters in elevation.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Primarily nocturnal, though juveniles can often be active during cloudy or rainy days in the leaf litter. Adults spend the daytime hiding in leaf depressions or crevices, emerging at night to sit near streams or on forest trails to ambush small invertebrates.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Solitary and territorial, individuals interact mainly during the breeding season. Males utilize vocalizations from hidden positions on the ground to advertise their territory and attract females.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Terrestrial insectivore and generalist invertebrate predator.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Feeds on a wide variety of forest floor invertebrates such as insects, spiders, and small worms. It is preyed upon by various forest predators including snakes, larger birds, and small carnivorous mammals.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Breeding occurs during the wet season. Following nocturnal courtship and axillary amplexus, the female deposits a small clutch of terrestrial eggs directly into moist leaf litter or soil cavities, which undergo direct development without a tadpole phase.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
3.5 - 6.9 cm
Weight (Grams)
4 g - 22 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.
12 - 18 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
25 - 40
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males3 - 6 Years
Females3 - 7 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Males are significantly smaller than females and possess vocal slits and subgular vocal sacs used for producing advertisement calls.
Females Multi-lang
Females reach a much larger size than males, displaying a noticeably wider and more robust body profile, especially when carrying developed eggs.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
The heavily textured, cryptic brown and grey skin provides exceptional camouflage against dead leaves and rocky environments, rendering the frog nearly invisible to predators.
The brilliant scarlet and black bars on the hidden inner thighs act as a flash coloration mechanism to startle and confuse visual predators during sudden escape leaps.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Localized habitat destruction caused by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development within its tropical forest range.
Vulnerability to microclimate alterations and environmental changes, along with potential impacts from widespread amphibian pathogens like chytrid fungus.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Unlike typical frogs, this species completely bypasses the free-swimming tadpole stage through direct development; females lay terrestrial eggs in moist soil that hatch directly into fully formed miniature froglets.