Rhinoderma darwinii

Darwin's Frogs are ground-dwelling and diurnal, primarily feeding on small insects. Their cryptic coloration allows them to avoid predators by remaining motionless, making them difficult to spot against the leaf litter. When threatened, they often play dead to further deceive potential predators.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Darwin's Frog is its reproductive behavior. Males carry fertilized eggs in their vocal sacs where the eggs develop, bypassing the tadpole stage. After about two weeks, fully formed froglets emerge directly from the male's mouth.

Darwin's Frog is small, typically measuring up to 2.5 cm (about 1 inch) in length. Its body is slender and elongated, with a sharp nose that enhances its resemblance to a leaf, aiding in its survival strategy against predators.

Darwin's Frog was first discovered in Chile during Charles Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle in the 1830s. It inhabits the temperate forests of Chile and Argentina, where it has adapted well to the humid and mossy environment.

Darwin's Frog is currently classified as Vulnerable, with some populations possibly extinct. The primary threats to this species include habitat destruction due to logging and agricultural expansion, as well as diseases like chytridiomycosis. Conservation efforts are focused on habitat protection and disease research to prevent further declines.