Adult: Species description based on Lynch and Myers (1983). A larger frog with a rather pointed snout. Females are much larger than males (43.2 versus 74 mm). Lynch and Myers (1983) provide a series of photographs of male and females, as well as of variation among individuals collected from different localities. Dorsal: Dorsal coloration is brown or orangey-brown, with some small darker spots or markings in the shape of a W on the upper portion of the back. Some individuals have a light middorsal stripe. The dorsal surface is mostly smooth, with very few warts. Ventral: Ventral surface is usually solid white or a very light grey or sometimes mottled in the throat region and solid pale yellow on the belly. Concealed surfaces: Rear surfaces of thighs have a very small, dense dark brown and tan mottled pattern. Eye: Iris is gold. The lower portion of the iris is darker than the upper portion, and the two halves are separated by a brown or reddish line. Extremities: Feet are moderately webbed.
Metamorph juvenile: The eyes of juveniles are much lighter and more similar in coloration throughout than the eyes of adults (Lynch and Myers 1983). As specimens age, the lower half of the iris gradually darkens (Lynch and Myers 1983).
Habitat: Lowland and premontane forest to 1500 m. Ecology: Craugastor raniformis is a leaf litter frog, but may move onto vegetation at night (Lynch and Myers 1983). Call: A ha, ha, ha, ha (Lynch and Myers 1983).