Amphibians

Axolotl

Pronunciation: ACK-suh-LAH-tul

Axolotl were found in the high altitude lakes of Chalco and Xochimilco near Mexico City, Mexico. Axolotl were the top predator in their habitat, however they are now critically endangered due to the increase of predatory fish and the disappearance of Lake Chalco. Axolotl breed from March to June. Females will deposit 100-300 eggs on hard surfaces in water and they will hatch 10-14 days later. The species retains certain characteristics of their larval stage even when they are fully mature adult salamanders.

You can see our axolotl in Unseen New World.

Blue Poison Arrow Frog

The blue poison arrow frog is one of more than 100 species of poison arrow frogs that come in a variety of colors and patterns. These bright colors warn potential predators to stay away. Poison arrow frogs got their name because several tribes in Central and South America would use the poisonous secretions of the frogs to poison their hunting arrows.

After mating, a female poison arrow frog will lay 2-6 eggs and both males and females take care of the eggs, which includes keeping them moist and protecting them from predators. Once they are old enough, the male frog will guide the tadpoles on his back to a stream or small pool where they develop into baby frogs. You can see this poison arrow frog along with other species of poison arrow frogs in Unseen New World.

Hellbender

The largest salamander in Tennessee, hellbenders can be found in the eastern two thirds of the state. Hellbender populations have gone through dramatic declines across their range over the last 20 years and are now a candidate species for endangered status listing.

Hellbenders will spend their entire lives in water. They prefer cold fast moving water with high levels of oxygen due to the fact that 95% of their oxygen is absorbed through their skin. Their tiny eyes can detect light but are not very good at forming images. Hellbenders are solitary nocturnal animals who spend the daytime hiding under rocks. A meeting between two hellbenders will usually result in a fight between them. You can see our hellbenders in Unseen New World.

Nashville Zoo is leader in hellbender conservation. We operate a Hellbender Conservation Program and participate in other state conservation initiatives.

Panamanian Golden Frog

The bright color of the Golden frog alerts potential predators to its dangers similar to its distant poison dart frog relatives from South America. Golden frogs live in habitats with loud fast moving water and also lack an eardrum, so how do they communicate? They actually use a form of sign language. Golden frogs will wave their hands or raise their feet to defend territory, attract a mate, or even greet each other. Young frogs are much more secretive than adults and are dark colored to match their habitats. They will change into the golden color has they age and become more toxic. Panamanian golden frogs are critically endangered due to a skin disease caused by the chytrid fungus.

We participate in the Panamanian Golden Frog Species Survival Plan®.

Puerto Rican Crested Toad

The Puerto Rican Crested Toad is the only toad native to the island of Puerto Rico. It makes its home on the northern and southern coasts of the island. Mating usually happens during the rainy season and eggs are laid in pools of water, streams, or small dams.

The Puerto Rican Crested Toad was the first amphibian placed on a Species Survival Plan (SSP) due to rapid population declines because of the invasive marine toad that was introduced to Puerto Rico in the 1920s. Nashville Zoo has sent thousands of tadpoles to the island for reintroduction. You can see our Crested Toads in Unseen New World.

Nashville Zoo has been involved in Puerto Rican crested toad conservation since 2012 and participates in the Puerto Rican Crested Toad Species Survival Plan®.

Surinam Toad

Although named the Surinam toad, they are actually frogs. You might mistake them for a leaf or a rock, and that’s the point! When prey swim near them, the frogs lunge forward, swallowing their prey in one gulp. These fully aquatic frogs have an interesting reproductive strategy. The pair do somersaults in the water where the males fertilize the eggs and drops them onto the female’s back, where they are completely covered by her skin after a few days. The offspring hatch under the skin where they remain for 3-4 months when the frogs burst out of the mothers back!

The Surinam toads can be seen in Unseen New World.