Males prefer water; females live in the forest – First results of a study about the Purple Frog

Since 2008, Zoo of Cologne, Zurich Zoological Garden and Atlanta Botanical Garden keep groups of the “purple frog” (Atelopus flavescens). Little is known, however, about the breeding ecology of the species; and captive breeding attempts have been unsuccessful so far.
In order to enhance conservation breeding, there is a need to provide proper environmental conditions. Therefore a research study on the ecology of the purple frog was conducted in French Guiana. The study of Dr. Stefan Lötters and Dr. Dennis Rödder(University of Trier), which was financed by the Amphibian Conservation Fund by Stiftung Artenschutz/VDZ with major donation by Aquazoo Düsseldorf, provides significant information about the breeding ecology of the species in its natural environment.
The study provided interesting insights of the ecology of the purple frog. Males and females reside in different habitat types: males stay preferably near streams, whereas females are forest residents. Furthermore, male purple frogs were mostly found sitting in the vegetation, whereas females are likely to be met on the ground.
The results of this filed study provide important information on how terrariums for purple frogs have to be arranged in order to provide proper environmental conditions.