#chacao horned frog

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Chatting with the Chaco Horned Frog

The Chacao horned frog, also known as the lesser Chini frog (Chacophrys pierotti) is a species of horned frog found in central South America, from northern Argentina to Paraguay and Bolivia. It resides in an area known as the Gran Chaco or Dry Chaco, named for its high temperatures and lack of rainfall. Within this region, the Chaco horned frog resides mainly in dry scrubland, floodplains, and dry tropical forests.

Due to the extreme environment in which they live, lesser Chini frogs spend most of the year underground. During the cool, dry season from May to September, adults dug burrows and hibernate; to keep themselves moist, they surround themselves in a cocoon of dead skin. Once the rainy season begins in October, they emerge to feed and breed. Like most frogs, the diet of C. pierotti consists mainly of insects; particularly beetles, ants, bees, butterflies, and moths, and occasionally smaller frogs or tadpoles. There is no record of predators targeting this species, though their small size likely makes them an easy target for foxes, coyotes, and opossums.

At only 4.5 - 6.5 cm (1.7 - 2.5 in) long, lesser Chini frogs are on the small side. However, they generally appear rather plump and round-- the better to retain moisture during the dry season. Adults can appear mottled brown or green, which helps them to camouflage against the surrounding foliage. Despite their name, Chaco horned frogs have no horns or similar-looking appendages.

Mating occurs throughout the rainy season, and typically peaks in January. Males attract females by calling, especially just after heavy rains. Females lay their eggs in the rivers and temporary lagoons that form, and the larvae hatch some time later. Tadpoles only take about 2 weeks to metamorphose into adults, and by the following rainy season they are ready to mate. Individuals typically only live to be about 5 years in the wild.

Conservation status: The IUCN has classed C. pierotti as Least Concern. However, it is threatened by habitat loss due to agriculture and deforestation, and by collection for the pet trade.

Photos

Nadia Bach

Norman Scott

Josh Vandermeulen