Prelims – Environment – Species
The Helmeted Water Toad (Calyptocephallela gayi) is a large frog species that lived alongside dinosaurs and is now called a “living fossil.” It is currently disappearing in its native Chile.
Size: It is one of the largest frogs, growing over 1 foot long and weighing up to 1 kg.
Habitat: It lives in lakes, rivers, and ponds in the lowlands of Chile.
Threats: The toad faces threats from climate change, habitat loss due to urban growth and farming, pollution, and environmental decline.
IUCN Status: The species is considered Vulnerable.
Living fossils are organisms that have characteristics similar to species only known from fossil records. These creatures are crucial for understanding evolution and linking the present to the past. The term refers to life forms that were once unknown or thought to be extinct but are still alive today.