Amphibian · GBIF taxon 2428650
Rabbs' Fringe-limbed Treefrog
Ecnomiohyla rabborumAlso known as Rabbs' Treefrog
Dwelling high in the cloud forest canopies of central Panama, these arboreal gliders used extensive foot webbing like parachutes to steer controlled descents between tree crowns. Males defended water-filled tree cavities where they demonstrated remarkable paternal devotion, lingering in nursery pools while tadpoles grazed on their sloughed skin cells. Decimated by the invasive amphibian chytrid fungus, the species suffered rapid wild crashes, leaving its haunting nocturnal calls silenced throughout its former mountain range.
Canopy DwellerGlidingNocturnal
Licensed referenceBrian Gratwicke from DC, USA / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
—observations
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—peak records
Critically EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXCritically EndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Tree crickets
- Nocturnal moths
- Arboreal spiders
Predators
- Arboreal snakes
- Canopy birds of prey
- Small arboreal mammals
ThreatsChytrid fungus epidemic (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) and habitat fragmentation
HabitatsPrimary premontane cloud forest canopies
Life span10–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAnura
- FamilyHylidae
- GenusEcnomiohyla
- SpeciesEcnomiohyla rabborum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by enormous webbed feet, mottled bark-like skin, and wavy skin fringes running along the limbs.
- Support conservation
- Report any potential wild sightings immediately to herpetological researchers without attempting capture.
Responsible observation
- Acoustic Surveys: Listen for deep, stuttered nocturnal barking calls in high, mist-shrouded canopies.
- Canopy Search: Inspect deep tree hollows and epiphytic phytotelmata high in old-growth branches.
- Biosecurity Precautions: Disinfect all boots and equipment with fungicidal wash before entering cloud forest zones.
Image unavailableLethal Pathogen Close Relative 
Close Relative Josiah H. Townsend / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-saClose Relative
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Found in Collections
Species set
Moonlight Marvels
Rabbs' Fringe-limbed Treefrog is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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