At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Titicaca water frog is a fully aquatic frog famous for its baggy, folded skin, an adaptation to the high-altitude lake. It is assessed as Endangered.
The loose skin increases surface area to absorb oxygen from the cold water.
Range & habitat
Lake Titicaca, on the border of Peru and Bolivia.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Harvesting for food and drinks
- Pollution
- Introduced trout and disease
Why it matters
An extreme high-altitude specialist found in a single lake, the Titicaca water frog is an indicator of the health of one of the world's highest large lakes.
Sources
Sources for Lake Titicaca Water Frog
- IUCN Red List — look up Lake Titicaca Water Frog (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Titicaca water frog have such saggy skin?
Its loose, folded skin greatly increases surface area, helping it absorb enough oxygen directly from the cold, high-altitude lake water where it lives almost entirely underwater.
Why is it Endangered?
Published assessments cite harvesting for food and 'frog juice' drinks, pollution of the lake, and pressures from introduced trout and disease. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: