The Lake Titicaca Water Frog

The Lake Titicaca water frog is a critically endangered amphibian that dwells in Lake Titicaca in the Andes Mountains. The elevation of their home at above 12,500 feet is incredibly high. It’s an environment that leaves humans short of breath and suffering from altitude sickness. The frogs survive at this taxing elevation thanks to their voluminous skin folds, a feature that’s landed them with the nickname “scrotum frog.” The extra-large surface area of their skin allows them to absorb more of what little oxygen exists in the cold waters of their environment. Fun fact: The Titicaca water frog won fourth place in the British Science Association’s “ugliest animal” contest in 2013. Sad fact: It’s estimated that the frog’s numbers have fallen by 80 percent between 1990 and 2004 from human predation and water pollution.