Although the three species of colostethus found in
Costa Rica are members of the
poison dart frog family, they lack the toxins and bright coloration characteristic of that family.
Each is a small frog. The body is brown, light, longitudinal stripes run along the back and sides. These frogs are commonly referred to as rocket frogs because of the way they launch themselves headfirst into streams when startled. Male Colostethus Talamancae reach a maximum size of 22 mm (7/8 inch); females reach a maximum of 24 mm (1 inch). Colostethus Talamancae ranges from southern Costa Rica to Panama, Colombia, and
Ecuador.
It usually lives near rapid flowing, clear mountain streams at elevations between sea level and 750 meters (2,450 ft), although it has also been found at some distance from any stream. Talamanca rocket frogs are strictly active during the day, but prefer periods of low light; males call in the early morning and late afternoon, or during cloudy spells.
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