Endemic Animals of Panama

The pygmy three-toed sloth (Bradypus pygmaeus ), also known as the monk sloth or dwarf sloth, is a sloth endemic to Isla Escudo de Veraguas, a small island off the Caribbean coast of Panama. The species was first described by Robert P. Anderson of the University of Kansas and Charles O. Handley Jr., of the Smithsonian Institution in 2001. The pygmy three-toed sloth is significantly smaller than the other three members of its genus, but otherwise ...
resembles the brown-throated three-toed sloth. According to Anderson and Handley Jr., the head-and-body length is between 48 and 53 centimetres (19 and 21 in), and the body mass ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 kg (5.5 to 7.7 lb).This sloth, like other sloths, is arboreal (tree-living) and feeds on leaves. It has a body adapted to hang by its limbs; the large curved claws help the sloth to keep a strong grip on tree branches. It lives high in the canopy but descends once a week to defecate on the forest floor. It is symbiotically associated with green algae, that can provide it with a camouflage. Details of mating behavior and reproduction have not been documented. The pygmy three-toed sloth is found exclusively in the red mangroves of Isla Escudos de Veraguas, restricted to an area of 4.3 square kilometres (1.7 sq mi). A 2012 census of pygmy three-toed sloths estimated the total population at 79. The IUCN lists the pygmy three-toed sloth as critically endangered and they are listed on the world's 100 most threatened species. Less

The Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki ), also known as Cerro Campana stubfoot toad and other names, is a species of toad endemic to Panama. Panamanian golden frogs inhabit the streams along the mountainous slopes of the Cordilleran cloud forests of west-central Panama. While the IUCN lists it as critically endangered, it may in fact have been extinct in the wild since 2007. Individuals have been collected for breeding in captivity in a bid ...
to preserve the species. The alternative common name, Zetek's golden frog, and the epithet zeteki both commemorate the entomologist James Zetek. Less

The stripe-cheeked woodpecker (Piculus callopterus ) is a species of woodpecker endemic to Panama. The males are an orangish-brown above with an olive barred yellowish rump, an olive chest and throat with white spots, and dull yellow underparts. Its crown, nape and moustachial region is a bright red and it has a white streak on the lower cheek. Females are similar to the males, but have a dark grey crown and moustachial region. It is uncommon in ...
humid forests in the Panamanian foothills. These woodpeckers are generally quiet and inconspicuous and forage either alone or in pairs in the low or middle level of trees.The stripe-cheeked woodpecker, along with the rufous-winged woodpecker (P. simplex ), was formerly thought to be a subspecies of the South American white-throated woodpecker (P. leucolaemus ), but has since been split by the American Ornithological Society due to its distinct facial patterns and voice. It also does not interbreed with the rufous-winged woodpecker where their ranges overlap. Less

The Panamanian tyrannulet or yellow-green tyrannulet (Phylloscartes flavovirens ) is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae. It is endemic to Panama. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. Less

The glow-throated hummingbird (Selasphorus ardens ) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is native to the Talamancan montane forests of western Panama and generally is found along edge habitats.It is threatened by habitat loss. The population is currently decreasing, with an estimation of less than one thousand left forming a single subspecies. Less

The Veraguan mango (Anthracothorax veraguensis ) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae.It is found in Panama and recently in Costa Rica. It was considered conspecific with the Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii ) but was separated due to morphological and geographical differences in 1995. Less

The Azuero dove or brown-backed dove (Leptotila battyi ) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Panama. Less

The Coiba spinetail (Cranioleuca dissita ) is a member of the family Furnariidae (ovenbirds) that is endemic to Coiba and Ranchería Islands, Panama. Less

The Escudo hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl handleyi ) is a hummingbird in the subfamily Trochilinae. It was long considered a doubtfully distinct species, but more recently it is generally treated as a subspecies of the rufous-tailed hummingbird, A. tzacatl.It is endemic to Isla Escudo de Veraguas in Panama. Except for its larger size, it is similar to the rufous-tailed hummingbird. Its natural habitat is tropical moist shrubland and woodland. ...
With a total range estimated at only 3 km2, it is potentially threatened by habitat loss or invasive species.When it was still considered a good species, it was classified as Vulnerable species by the IUCN, noting that any evidence of a declining population could lead to an uplisting to Critically Endangered status. In 2008, it was removed from the IUCN Red List however, as only species are included therein. Less

The yellow-green brushfinch (Atlapetes luteoviridis ) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae.It is endemic to Panama. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest where it is threatened by habitat loss. Less

Atelopus certus, the Darien stubfoot toad or Toad Mountain harlequin frog, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae endemic to Panama. Less

Atelopus limosus, the limosa harlequin frog (Spanish: sapo limoso) is an endangered species of toad in the family Bufonidae endemic to Panama. Its natural habitats are stream banks in tropical moist lowland forests and rivers of the Chagres watershed in central Panama. Less

The polkadot poison frog (Oophaga arborea ) is a species of frogs in the family Dendrobatidae endemic to Panama, where it is known as rana venenosa in Spanish. Its natural habitats are humid lowland and montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss and is listed by the IUCN as being "critically endangered". Less

Vicente's poison frog (Oophaga vicentei ) is a species of frog in the family Dendrobatidae that is endemic to the Veraguas and Coclé Provinces of central Panama. It is a little known arboreal frog that inhabits humid tropical lowland and montane forest.Vicente's poison frog breeds in arboreal vegetation, and the parents transport the tadpoles to vegetation-bound water pools in bromeliads to develop. As the generic name Oophaga indicates, this ...
and related species also practice a particular form of oophagy, where the mother deposits special nutritive eggs for the larvae to consume. Less

The La Loma tree frog (Hyloscirtus colymba ) is a species of frog in the family Hylidae found in Costa Rica, Panama, and expected but not confirmed in Colombia. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland and montane forests, with breeding taking place in streams. It is threatened by habitat loss and chytridiomycosis.The common name refers to La Loma, its type locality on the trail between Chiriquí Lagoon and Boquete, in the Bocas del Toro ...
Province of Panama. Less

Atelopus glyphus, the Pirri harlequin frog or Pirri Range stubfoot toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae found in Colombia and Panama within the Northwestern Andean montane forests. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and rivers. Less

Andinobates claudiae is a species of frog in the family Dendrobatidae.It is endemic to Panama. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. Less

Craugastor obesus is a species of frog in the family Craugastoridae. It is found in the Caribbean slopes of southeastern Costa Rica and western Panama. Its natural habitats are lowland moist forest, premontane and lower montane wet forest and rainforest. It can be found in the spray zone on rocks, boulders, and cliff faces in the middle of moderate-sized cascading streams.Craugastor obesus is a rare frog. In Costa Rica it was last time recorded ...
in 1984. Recent sampling efforts within its range in Panama have not produced any new observations either, although not enough has been done to indicate uplifting to possibly extinct. The main threat to this species is chytridiomycosis. Less

Colostethus latinasus is a species of frog in the family Dendrobatidae. It is known from Cerro Pirre in Darién Province, Panama, from Chocó Department in adjacent Colombia, and from Tierralta, Córdoba Department, Colombia. Less

Isthmohyla debilis is a rare species of frog in the family Hylidae. It occurs in the Atlantic slopes of the Cordillera Central and Cordillera Talamanca in Costa Rica and western Panama as well as on the Pacific slopes in southwestern Panama. Common name Isla Bonita treefrog has been suggested for it (the type locality is "Isla Bonita" in Costa Rica). Less

Ecnomiohyla thysanota, also known as Cerro Mali treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is endemic to Panama where it is known from its type locality, Cerro Malí in eastern Serranía de Darién, near the border to Colombia, where it might also occur. This arboreal species is only known from a single specimen, the holotype. Less

Craugastor gulosus is a species of frog in the family Craugastoridae.It is found in Costa Rica and Panama.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.It is threatened by habitat loss. Less

Oscaecilia elongata is a species of caecilian in the family Caeciliidae. It is endemic to Panama. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, plantations, rural gardens, and heavily degraded former forest. Less

Incilius signifer is a species of toads in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Panama and known from the Pacific Coast to 800 m (2,600 ft) asl, west of the Canal Zone. Prior to its description in 2005, it was mixed with Incilius coccifer. Its natural habitats are tropical dry forests. It tolerates habitat modification but could be threatened by severe habitat modification. Less

Strabomantis laticorpus is a species of frog in the family Craugastoridae. It is found in Panama and possibly Colombia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. Less

The confusing poison frog (Ameerega maculata ) is a species of frog in the family Dendrobatidae endemic to Panama. It is only known from its type locality, "Chiriqui" (which at the time of the description included both Atlantic and Pacific versants of western Panama).Its natural habitat is unknown but might be forest. It is threatened by habitat loss; it might already been extinct given the level of deforestation within the region of collection. Less

Craugastor azueroensis is a species of frog in the family Craugastoridae.It is endemic to Panama.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss. Less

Scinax altae is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is endemic to Panama where it occurs in the Pacific lowlands between the Chiriquí Province in the west and Panamá Province in the east. The type series was collected by Emmett Reid Dunn and his wife from "Summit" in the Panama Canal Zone in 1932. Less

The Continental Divide tree frog (Isthmohyla graceae ) is a species of frog in the family Hylidae found in Panama and possibly Costa Rica. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, rivers, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marshes.It is threatened by habitat loss. Less

Isthmohyla infucata is a species of frogs in the family Hylidae endemic to Panama.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marshes. Infucata is threatened by habitat loss. Less

Rhinoclemmys panamaensis is an extinct species of turtle belonging to the genus Rhinoclemmys of the family Geoemydidae known from the early to middle Miocene (Hemingfordian) Cucaracha Formation of the Panama Basin of central Panama. Less

Lepidoblepharis victormartinezi is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Panama. Less

Cnemidophorus duellmani is a species of teiid lizard endemic to Panama. Less

Rhadinaea vermiculaticeps is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is found in Panama. Less

Lepidoblepharis emberawoundule is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Panama. Less

Lepidoblepharis rufigularis is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Panama. Less

Echinosaura panamensis, the Panama teiid, is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. It is endemic to Panama. Less

The Coiba Island howler (Alouatta coibensis ) is a type of howler monkey, a type of New World monkey, endemic to Panama. Although the Coiba Island howler has been recognized as a separate species by a number of authorities since a 1987 study of its fingerprints, mitochondrial DNA testing found it does not differ from mantled howler populations in any significant way. A reason given for treating it as a separate species is that the dermal ridges ...
of its hands and feet differ from those of the mantled howler.A. c. coibensis is smaller than other Central American howler monkeys and has duller pelage than the Azuero howler, Alouatta coibensis trabeata. Less

The Coiban agouti (Dasyprocta coibae ) is a species of rodent in the family Dasyproctidae. It is endemic to the island of Coiba (Panama) and resembles the more widespread Central American agouti. It is threatened by habitat loss. Less

The Panama slender opossum (Marmosops invictus ), also known as the slaty slender mouse opossum, is a species of opossum in the family Didelphidae. It is endemic to Panama, where it has been found in tropical rainforest habitats, including disturbed areas, at elevations from 500 to 1500 m. This opossum is mostly terrestrial in its habits, and feeds on plants and insects. It is vulnerable to deforestation. Less

The Azuero howler (Alouatta coibensis trabeata ) a type of monkey that is a subspecies of the Coiba Island howler A. coibensis. This subspecies is endemic to the Azuero Peninsula in Panama. The Azuero howler is distinguished primarily by its golden flanks and loins, and browner appearance on the rest of its body.Although generally considered a subspecies of A. coibensis, there is some debate within the scientific community as to whether A. ...
coibensis itself is a valid species. If not, A. c. trabeata would be considered subspecies of the mantled howler, A. palliata. In that case its trinomial name would be A. p. trabeata. Less

Enders's small-eared shrew (Cryptotis endersi ) is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is endemic to Panama. Less