Adult: Species description based on Savage (2002). A medium or large toad (males to 62 mm, females to 80 mm). Dorsal: The dorsal coloration is tan or grey. Some black spots or orange blotches may be present. The sides are dark, bordered above by a thin white line. In general the coloration mimics a dead leaf. Ventral: The ventral surface is light brown or yellowish. The color may darken to orange or brown near the rear end. Distinguishing characteristics: A prominent white bar or spot is present just below the eye. Eye: The eye is dark brown or black, with some gold flecking.
Breeding season: Breeding occurs explosively during the wet season in streams (Scott 1983). Egg: The eggs are black and cream and laid in parallel strings (Savage 2002). Tadpole: The tadpole is dark brown above (Savage 2002). The skin of the ventral surface is translucent, as are the tail fins (Savage 2002). Metamorph juvenile: The ventral surface of metamorphs is black with bright white spots (Savage 2002).
Habitat: Lowland and premontane forest to 1300 m. Call: This species does not call, but may produce a release call (Savage 2002). Karyotype: 2N = 22 (Bogart 1972). Type locality: Region of the Truando, New Granada (Colombia) Diet: The diet consists primarily of ants (Lieberman 1986).
Diagnostic description: With a black and wide strip, which covers the entire side of the face, extending at least to the posterior margin of the parotid gland. The parotid gland posterior to the eye, or just above the level of the armpit. Parotid gland is very large, several times greater than the area of the upper eyelid. The parotid glands inconspicuous harmonize with the surrounding skin and when the toad is stressed, secrete appreciable amounts of a viscous white poison. No cranial crests. The standard length of adult males is 42 to 62 mm. Females of 50 to 80 mm.
No conspicuous tarsal tubercle present. Fingers lack complete membrane, the inner fingers are well developed. The tarsal fold is well developed. Lacking supernumerary tubercles under the fingers of the hands and feet and without palmar and plantar tubercles accessories.
Habitat: They live in forest litter and congregate in pools left by streams or rivers, under or between stones.
Reproduction: To pair individuals congregate in pools left by rivers and streams, where they lay their eggs and tadpoles emerge from them-like toads.
It has been found under loose stones singing in Reventazón River, Carthage.
Food: They feed on arthropods (ants, spiders and beetles) in forest litter.
Behavior: They are diurnal.
Distribution in Costa Rica: In the lowlands and the middle Atlantic slope, center and south of the Pacific slope, East and West Central Valley, and mountain pass mountain ranges of Guanacaste and Tilarán between 20 and 1,300 m. Lift (Savage, 2002).
Distribution outside Costa Rica: They are from eastern Honduras (Caribbean slope) and from southern Costa Rica (Pacific) south to northern Colombia (Sheds Pacific and Caribbean) and western Ecuador.