Mountain Chicken

Mountain Chicken Facts

• This remarkable amphibian most frequently goes by the completely deceptive common name of the Mountain Chicken. Among researchers, however, it goes by’s better known by the cumbersome title of the Leptodactylus fallax. By either name, though, it’s a fascinating species.
• Quite obviously, it’s not a chicken, but, unfortunately, the general name derives from reports that its flesh tastes like that specific bird. Unfortunately for it, though, the creature remains a delicacy within its endemic range. Partly due to this, its numbers have plummeted sharply.
• Concerted efforts to preserve the intriguing creation of Nature currently exist, however. These attempts mainly consists of captive breeding projects, with several institutions participating. In fact, a few specimens from these projects have been introduced to their native region.
• Regrettably, though, its continued existence as a species continues to be threatened by a wide variety of factors. For the moment, its greatest threat probably comes from the presence of a deadly chytridiomycosis fungus. Habitat loss also poses a great danger to the creature.
• The ongoing effects of climate change, however, may also soon endanger the Mountain Chicken, like all forms of life one earth today. Given all these factors, the IUCN now lists the amphibian as Critically Endangered. This status appears on its Red List of Threatened Species.

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Mountain Chicken Physical Description

Along with its somewhat distinctive general name, the incredible Mountain Chicken also stands out from its many relatives for yet another reason. That status occurs due to the sheer size of the amphibian. In point of fact, this impressive animal ranks as one of the largest of all known frogs.

It also, much like many amphibians around the world, displays a moderate degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In its particular case, though, this trait manifests itself in terms of size. This tendency further mimics that of a large percentage of frog species.

Males of this amazing product of evolutionary processes typically reach a slightly smaller size than their female counterparts. Exceptional individuals, however, usually females, reach lengths of up to 8.7 in (22 cm). These same individuals also often weigh as much as an amazing 2.2 lb (1 kg).

Most specimens of this marvel, though, typically attain slightly smaller, though still quite surprising, measurements. A typical adult size, in fact, equals between 6.7 – 7.1 in (17 – 18 cm). That fact nonetheless still qualifies this true marvel of Nature as an exceptionally large variety of amphibian. 

The coloring of the Mountain Chicken also develops extremely variable since it seems Nature loves variety. Consequently, individuals may be numerous colors. These include brown, barred, or spotted on the upper body. The sides and lower body typically show a light shade of orange yellow.

The body of this fascinating animal addtionally develops as relatively robust and strongly muscled, compared to most others of its kind. Perhaps most noteworthy of all is the presence of a large spur on each of the male’s thumbs. These the creature evolved to grasp the female during mating.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Amphibia
• Order: Anura
• Family: Leptodactylidae
• Genus: Leptodactylus
• Species: L. fallax

Mountain Chicken Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Evidence indicates that the remarkable Mountain Chicken once existed across a somewhat broader section of the surface of the world. It appears to have evolved as native to many islands in the eastern Caribbean. Currently, however, it now appears only on Montserrat and Dominica.

While attempts have been made to reintroduce this remarkable creature to other islands, these efforts have so far proven entirely unsuccessful. This fact further puzzles researchers, since the species displays a flexibility in its choice of habitat, at least on the two islands its still inhabits.

In these extremely limited locations, individuals frequently inhabit a variety of habitats, provided that a stream appears nearby. These include secondary forests, plantations, scrub, ravines, grasslands, and palm groves. Most individuals also prefer altitudes of no more than 1,410 ft (430 m).

The astounding Mountain Chicken also evolved as primarily nocturnal in its patterns of activity. Mainly hunting at night, the amphibian does so as an ambush predator. It’s also well known among researchers for its voracious appetite. It happily eats virtually any prey that it fits into its mouth.

Due to this remarkably indiscriminate feeding pattern, its typical prey understandably includes a wide range of victims. The majority of these, though, consist of various types of local insects and small crustaceans. It does, however, occasionally eat bats, snakes, and even other frogs.

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