Conap explains its appearance in Zacapa

Home News Conap explains its appearance in Zacapa
Conap explains its appearance in Zacapa

The rainy season It brings with it various changes in nature, including the reappearance of species. This was the case for several yellow toads recently observed in a village in Rio Hondo, Zacapawhose sighting caught the attention of residents and social media users.

Images of the striking yellow amphibians began to circulate, generating curiosity and multiple reactions among users and residents of that town.

The event occurred in the La Palma villagewhere neighbors reported the presence of several specimens ofa toad of intense tone which was initially mistaken for frogs.

He National Council of Protected Areas (Conap) confirmed that it is the yellow toad Incilius luetkenii, a native species of the country that forms an important part of the ecosystems of the Motagua Valley.

What relationship do the rains have with their appearance?

According to the technical explanation, these amphibians emerge from their aestivation period—a process in which they remain buried during the dry season to avoid dehydration—and their appearance usually coincides with the first significant rains of each year.

This behavior also marks the beginning of their reproductive stage. The adults concentrate in temporary ponds and bodies of water formed by rain, where the males emit vocalizations to attract the females and initiate mating and that is why they change their tone.

The sighting of the yellow toad in Zacapa coincides with the first rains of the season. (Free Press Photo: courtesy Conap)

Conap highlights that the Incilius luetkenii It fulfills a key ecological function, since it contributes to the natural control of insects and other pests, in addition to being an indicator of ecosystem health and water availability in rural areas.

“Its recent presence in Río Hondo, Zacapa, is considered a natural sign of transition towards the rainy season and highlights the importance of conserving temporary water bodies where this species reproduces.“explained the institution.

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