The Mountain Chicken is Actually a Frog, and It’s Endangered.

Despite its name suggesting otherwise, the mountain chicken is not poultry but rather a unique amphibian species native to the Caribbean. The Mountain Chicken (Leptodactylus fallax), holds significant ecological and cultural importance in the region. However, its existence is under threat, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect it.

If you are interested in learning more about endangered animals, check the posts we have featuring other species:

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• The Endangered Blue Racer Snake (Coluber constrictor foxii)
• Critically endangered species without conservation efforts
• Animals Assessed as Critically Endangered in 2023

Jump Links

• Where Does Mountain Chicken Live? (Geographic range)
• What Does the Mountain Chicken Look Like? (Physical Appearance)
• What Does the Mountain Chicken Eat? (Diet)
• Are Mountain Chickens Dangerous? (Behavior)
• How Many Mountain Chickens Are Left? (Conservation status)
• Why Are Mountain Chickens Endangered? (Threats)
• Conservation Efforts to Save the Mountain Chicken

Where Does Mountain Chicken Live?

Geographic range

The mountain chicken, historically spread across the Caribbean islands, now finds its remaining stronghold in Dominica and Montserrat. However, it has faced extinction on islands like Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Kitts and Nevis. This is a terrestrial species that primarily inhabits forested areas, including both natural and artificial/terrestrial habitats such as plantations. It is predominantly nocturnal, seeking refuge in caves during the day within moist forest environments.

On Dominica, this resilient amphibian occupies the western side of the island, restricted to an area of approximately 40 km². Its habitat spans from sea level up to an elevation of about 400 meters above sea level, although sightings beyond this altitude are rare. Similarly, in Montserrat, the mountain chicken is primarily found in the Centre Hills region, covering less than 1 km². Here, its range extends from sea level to an upper elevation limit of 430 meters above sea level.

Despite its relatively small area of occupancy, the mountain chicken’s extent of occurrence encompasses 1,568 km², highlighting the scattered distribution of its remaining populations.

What Does the Mountain Chicken Look Like?

Physical Appearance

Despite its name, the mountain chicken bears no resemblance to its poultry counterpart. Instead, it boasts a robust physique, with adults typically measuring around 16-17 cm in length. Though some individuals can exceed 20 cm. Their weight can surpass 1,000 grams, making them one of the largest frog species in the region. Mountain chickens exhibit a mottled brown coloration, blending seamlessly with the forest floor. While their powerful hind legs enable them to navigate their dense habitat with ease.

What Does the Mountain Chicken Eat?

Diet

Adult mountain chickens exhibit a diverse diet consisting of insects, millipedes, spiders, land snails, and even vertebrates such as tree frogs and small snakes. Their diet reflects their role as top predators in their ecosystem, helping to regulate insect populations and maintain ecological balance. Interestingly, mountain chickens do not rely on water bodies for sustenance; instead, they lay their eggs in foam nests at the bottom of burrows, where tadpoles develop terrestrially.

Are Mountain Chickens Dangerous?

Behavior

Despite their imposing size and carnivorous diet, mountain chickens pose no threat to humans. They play a crucial role in controlling insect populations, thereby reducing the prevalence of pests in their habitat.

How Many Mountain Chickens Are Left?

Conservation status

The current state of the mountain chicken population reveals a concerning narrative of decline and vulnerability. Recent estimates suggest that only a few hundred individuals persist in their natural habitats, marking a stark departure from their once-abundant presence across their native range. This decline can be attributed to many factors, including habitat destruction, the introduction of invasive species, and devastating disease outbreaks.

Going into details, currently, only approximately 132 mature individuals identified through recent assessments. This population is severely fragmented and dispersed across 7 to 8 subpopulations, this spatial isolation hinders gene flow and exacerbates the species’ vulnerability.

Historically, Montserrat harbored a significant population of mountain chickens, until a catastrophic decline precipitated by chytridiomycosis, volcanic eruptions, and hunting for consumption reduced their numbers to a mere handful. Similarly, Dominica witnessed a decline, with chytridiomycosis decimating populations, exacerbated by habitat loss and human exploitation. The situation in Dominica is especially concerning since the largest subpopulations of Mountain Chicken are located primarily in Dominica, accounting for around 40-45% of the entire population.

Sadly, this species is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, highlighting the urgent need for conservation action to prevent its extinction. Efforts to protect remaining populations and restore degraded habitats are underway, but significant challenges remain in combating the various threats facing these iconic amphibians.

Why Are Mountain Chickens Endangered?

Threats

Mountain chickens face a myriad of threats to their survival, chief among them being habitat loss and degradation due to deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion. Additionally, introduced predators such as the Small Indian Mongoose pose a significant threat to mountain chicken populations, preying on both adults and their offspring. Disease outbreaks, particularly the deadly chytridiomycosis caused by the chytrid fungus, have further compounded their vulnerable state, decimating populations across their range.

Conservation Efforts to Save the Mountain Chicken

Despite the formidable challenges, dedicated conservation efforts are underway to save the mountain chicken from extinction. These initiatives include habitat restoration, captive breeding programs, disease monitoring, and public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting coexistence and fostering community support for conservation efforts. By addressing the root causes of their decline and implementing sustainable management practices, conservationists hope to secure a future for the Mountain Chicken and preserve the biodiversity of the Caribbean islands for generations to come.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Mountain Chicken, although not a chicken at all, is a vital component of the Caribbean’s biodiversity. Its decline serves as a strong reminder of the fragility of our natural world and the impact of human activities on vulnerable species.

By raising awareness, implementing conservation measures, addressing the threats the Mountain Chicken faces, and implementing measures to protect its habitat, we can ensure that this iconic species continues to exist for future generations to appreciate.

Through collaboration and dedication, we can work towards a future where the mountain chicken thrives, showing our commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship in the Caribbean and beyond.