Striped Rocket Frog (Allobates talamancae)

Common Name: Striped Rocket Frog, Talamanca Rocket Frog, and Talamanca Striped Rocket Frog
Scientific Name: Allobates talamancae
Family: Aromobatidae – Cryptic Poison Dart Frog family
Locations: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama
Size: 1 inch (25 mm)

The Striped Rocket Frog is a diurnal species of frog, meaning they are active during the day. They are most active during the rainy season, where mating peaks. However, the frog breeds all year long. The male frogs can be distinguished from females by their darker colored throats and chest. The females are slightly larger than the males.

The male Striped Rocket Frog stakes out territories for mating. They call from elevated surfaces such as stumps or leaves. Once the eggs hatch, the male frogs and sometimes females carry their tadpoles on their back to water bodies on the ground. This is where the tadpole will complete their metamorphosis.

The Striped Rocket Frog is a member of the family Aromobatidae, the Cryptic Poison Dart Frogs. These frogs have the same body shape of regular Poison Dart Frogs. However, the Cryptic Poison Dart Frogs lack the bright colors and the levels of poison as them.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assesses the Striped Rocket Frog as Least Concern for Extinction. They have a good sized range and are common throughout it.