Engystomops petersi
One of the most distinctive frogs found in the Yachana Reserve is Engystomops petersi or the Painted Forest Toadlet. It is frequently found beside streams emitting its characteristic ‘laser like’ call – “Pehew pehew!”. Although they are easy to identify through call, finding one is another matter. These frogs tend to sit on muddy sections of stream banks, where their warty backs act as fantastic camouflage.
After a couple of 
weeks practice, GVI Amazon volunteers become quite adept at finding and catching these frogs. Once caught, these frogs puff up their bellies to appear larger and more intimidating than they really are. This process also shows off the beautiful ‘cow-like’ patterning on the stomach and groin. During the rainy season, if you are lucky, you might even encounter a breeding pair! The eggs are laid in a foam nests adjacent to small isolated pools of water. The eggs are laid close to water so that, when the tadpoles hatch, they can
reach water before they dry out.
Distribution: Lowland rainforest of Ecuador, Peru and Columbia
IUCN Status : Least Concern
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