Last year our adult Panamanian golden frogs laid a clutch of eggs, which successfully metamorphosed into healthy frogs. Seneca Park Zoo is proud to share this amazing success, since this species is now extinct in nature. Our efforts to conserve Panamanian golden frogs include field work in Panama, along with the successful raising of these froglets. Here was their journey!
– By Zoo Keepers Catina Wright & Rhonda McDonald
April 15th 2022 – Female Panamanian golden frog laid eggs in strings in the water. Keepers collected them and placed them in a behind the scenes observation tank for monitoring. Eggs began hatching a week later.
July 14th 2022 – Tadpoles grew in size and about 3 months later began to sprout hind legs. Picture shows left tadpole with hind legs starting to grow. They were living fully in water and eating algae wafers, as well as algae off of rocks. (right)
July 31st 2022 – The tadpoles formed into froglets with all 4 legs and color markings beginning to show. They were living mainly in water, sometimes venturing out on land. Still eating algae.
August 6th 2022 – The froglets completely absorbed their tails, and had full markings. They were living fully on land and eating very tiny invertebrates called springtails. As they grew they were able to eat pinhead crickets and eventually move to fruit flies and small crickets.
August 14th 2023 – One year after forming into froglets, the young adult frogs are still behind the scenes but are doing great and still growing, at about ¾ the size of an adult.
