Have you ever heard of a mountain chicken? If you’re imagining some exotic bird clucking away on a mountainside, you’re in for a surprise! Despite its misleading name, the mountain chicken isn’t a chicken at all – it’s actually one of the world’s largest frogs!
I’ve always been fascinated by animals with quirky names, and the mountain chicken definitely tops my list. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of this unique Caribbean amphibian that’s facing a serious fight for survival.
The Identity Crisis: Not a Chicken, But a Frog
The mountain chicken (scientific name: Leptodactylus fallax) is a critically endangered frog species native to the Caribbean islands of Dominica and Montserrat. Despite living in the Caribbean, they aren’t found in mountains either! Talk about an identity crisis.
These massive frogs can grow up to 8 inches long and weigh over 2 pounds (about 1 kg) That’s bigger than many actual chickens! Their robust bodies, broad heads, and muscular legs make them truly impressive creatures in the amphibian world.
Why on Earth Is It Called a “Mountain Chicken”?
You’re probably wondering how a frog ended up with such a misleading name The story goes back to European settlers who arrived in the Caribbean. When they encountered these large frogs, they found that the meat reminded them of chicken To distinguish it from smaller frogs in the region, they called it the “mountain chicken.”
On Dominica, locals know it as “crapaud” (the French word for toad), while it’s commonly called the “mountain chicken” on Montserrat. It also goes by other names like the Dominican white-lipped frog and giant ditch frog
Where to Find Mountain Chickens
Mountain chickens are only found on two Caribbean islands:
- Dominica: Once abundant, now critically endangered
- Montserrat: Now functionally extinct in the wild
These frogs once thrived on other Caribbean islands too, including Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and possibly Saint Lucia and Antigua. Unfortunately, they’ve disappeared from these locations.
Within their native islands, mountain chickens prefer:
- Moist habitats like dense secondary forests
- Areas near streams and springs
- Hillside plantations and ravines
- Wet, montane forests below 1000 meters elevation
Fascinating Features and Behaviors
Mountain chickens have some truly remarkable traits that help them survive in their natural environment:
Physical Adaptations
- Camouflage: Their skin has a mottled pattern of brown, green, and black to blend with their surroundings
- Powerful legs: They can jump up to 10 feet to escape threats or catch prey
- Size advantage: Being one of the largest frogs gives them few natural predators
Behavior
- Nocturnal hunters: They’re mostly active at night, emerging from their burrows to hunt
- Voracious appetite: These frogs eat almost anything they can swallow whole
- Territorial: Males make loud “whooping” calls to attract mates and warn off rivals
Diet
Mountain chickens are carnivorous and will eat:
- Crickets and other insects
- Millipedes and crustaceans
- Spiders (even tarantulas!)
- Small vertebrates including other frogs
- Small mammals like bats
- Snakes
The Weird and Wonderful Reproduction Method
The mountain chicken’s breeding process is super unusual compared to most amphibians. Instead of laying eggs in water, they use a fascinating method:
- Males dig burrows about 50 cm (20 inches) deep
- They compete for prime nesting sites by wrestling and making loud calls
- The winning male occupies a burrow and attracts a female with “trilling barks”
- The female releases fluid that the male whips into a foam nest using his hind legs
- After the female lays eggs, she stays to care for the developing tadpoles
- The female feeds the tadpoles with up to 25,000 unfertilized “trophic” eggs
- After about 45 days, 26-43 froglets emerge from the nest
This breeding season typically starts toward the end of the dry season (usually April) and continues until August or September. The timing ensures that when the young emerge, it’s the wet season with plenty of food available.
A Critically Endangered Species Fighting for Survival
Sadly, the mountain chicken is now critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population has declined by at least 80% from 1995 to 2004, with further significant declines since then.
On Dominica, fewer than 200 individuals remained by 2017-2019. On Montserrat, the situation is even worse – they’re considered functionally extinct in the wild, with few or none surviving outside captivity.
Major Threats
Several factors have contributed to their rapid decline:
1. Hunting for Food
Until recently, the mountain chicken was a popular delicacy and even considered Dominica’s national dish. Hunters would take between 8,000 and 36,000 animals annually before hunting bans were introduced. Their large size, loud calls, and tendency to sit in the open made them easy targets.
2. Deadly Fungal Disease
Perhaps the most devastating threat is chytridiomycosis, a deadly fungal disease affecting amphibians worldwide. This disease:
- Established on Dominica in 2002, nearly wiping out the population in just 18 months
- Reached Montserrat between 2005-2009, causing a rapid population crash
- Continues to threaten the few remaining wild individuals
3. Habitat Loss
Mountain chickens have lost huge areas of habitat due to:
- Agriculture and development
- Tourist facilities
- Human settlements
- Volcanic eruptions (especially on Montserrat)
4. Other Threats
- Introduction of predators like feral cats, dogs, and pigs
- Environmental pollutants including toxic herbicides
- Natural disasters like hurricanes and volcanic activity
Conservation Efforts: Racing Against Time
Conservation organizations are working hard to save this unique species from extinction. Key efforts include:
Captive Breeding Programs
In 1999, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust took nine mountain chickens to Jersey Zoo to start a captive breeding program. Today, this initiative has expanded to:
- Over 20 European zoos participating in a breeding program
- Five US zoos also breeding the species
- A captive European population of 236 individuals as of 2019
Some captive-bred frogs have been returned to Montserrat where they live in a semi-wild enclosure. This enclosure includes heated water pools (31°C/88°F) to prevent the chytrid fungus, which can’t survive at these temperatures.
Monitoring and Research
Scientists continue to monitor the few remaining wild populations while researching ways to combat the chytrid fungus and improve conservation strategies.
Why We Should Care About Mountain Chickens
You might wonder why we should care about saving one frog species. Well, mountain chickens provide several important benefits:
- Ecological role: As apex predators, they help regulate insect populations
- Pest control: They eat cockroaches and other pests that can damage crops
- Indicator species: Their health reflects the overall health of their ecosystem
- Scientific interest: Their unique breeding behavior offers valuable research opportunities
- Cultural significance: They appear on Dominica’s coat of arms and in local folklore
- Economic value: Eco-tourism centered around observing these frogs benefits local economies
How You Can Help
Want to help save the mountain chicken? Here are some ways you can make a difference:
- Donate to organizations like the Mountain Chicken Recovery Programme
- Spread awareness by sharing information about these amazing frogs
- Be an eco-conscious tourist if you visit the Caribbean
- Reduce your carbon footprint to help mitigate climate change effects
- Advocate for stronger environmental protection policies
Final Thoughts
The mountain chicken’s story is a powerful reminder of how human activities and environmental changes can push unique species to the brink of extinction. Despite its misleading name, this remarkable frog deserves our attention and conservation efforts.
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about this fascinating creature as much as I have! The next time someone mentions “mountain chicken,” you can surprise them with your knowledge about this extraordinary amphibian fighting for survival in the Caribbean.
Conservationists are sounding the alarm as one unique amphibian has become virtually extinct.
In the lush heart of the Caribbean lies the island of Dominica, a place of staggering natural beauty and biodiversity. Nestled among its emerald forests and flowing rivers, one of the world’s rarest species is fighting for survival: the mountain chicken frog. But how many are left?
The decline of the mountain chicken frog: a precarious existence
Despite once thriving on six different islands in the Caribbean, invasive species and habitat loss drove mountain chicken frogs to extinction on all but two islands: Montserrat and Dominica.
Protected and hidden away, the world’s last remaining mountain chicken frogs stayed safe there for several decades. However, the arrival of the deadly chytrid fungus (in Dominica in 2002 and Montserrat in 2009) changed everything.
Within just two years, chytrid wiped out over 99% of the last mountain chicken frogs. Now, Dominica has the last wild population on earth.
These carnivorous frogs play a vital role in island ecosystems and are one of the largest, most unique frogs in the world. They can leap over an adult person and weigh up to 1 kg, which is over 30 times heavier than the UK’s most common frog!
Working together with governments in the Caribbean and conservation organisations worldwide, we helped launch an ambitious mission to save them. And together, we just might stand a chance.
Have you ever heard of a MOUNTAIN CHICKEN? (Animation Meme)
FAQ
Is a mountain chicken a frog?
In fact, it’s not a chicken at all. Despite its misleading name, the mountain chicken is actually a species of frog that is native to the Caribbean islands of Dominica and Montserrat. Scientifically known as Leptodactylus fallax, it is one of the largest frogs in the world, growing up to 8 inches in length and weighing over 1 kg.
Why is it called a mountain chicken?
The unusual common name, “mountain chicken,” stems from its historical role as a food source; its meat was said to taste similar to chicken. Other theories suggest the name relates to its jumping ability or the way mother frogs stay with their offspring, reminiscent of a hen with chicks.
Where do mountain chickens live?
Mountain chickens are endemic to the islands of Dominica and Montserrat in the Caribbean. They can be found in the mountainous rainforests and wetland areas of these islands. 4. Are mountain chickens endangered?
What do mountain chickens eat?
Mountain chickens are voracious eaters and have a varied diet. They feed on insects, spiders, small vertebrates, and even smaller frogs. Their diet plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of their habitat. 7. Can mountain chickens jump? Yes, mountain chickens are excellent jumpers.
What does a mountain chicken look like?
Physically, the mountain chicken boasts a hefty, well-muscled build with a mottled brown and black skin that helps it blend into the dense, moist forest floors it inhabits. This camouflage is crucial for its survival, both for hiding from predators and for ambushing prey.
Does mountain chicken taste like chicken?
1. Does the mountain chicken taste like chicken? No, despite its name, the mountain chicken doesn’t taste like chicken. In fact, it is considered a delicacy in some Caribbean cultures and is often referred to as “crab chicken” due to its flavor and texture.
What kind of animal is a mountain chicken?
Mountain chickens are frogs! They are part of the Leptodactylidae, which they share with a diverse group of frogs. Their name comes from its massive size; this frog can reach a weight of 2 pounds and measure as long as 8 inches. They build nests with foam they secrete for their eggs.
Why do they call it a mountain chicken?
The mountain chicken frog is called that because it is a local culinary delicacy, and its meat is said to taste like chicken. The name also possibly refers to its large size, or its chicken-like squawking alarm call.
How many mountain chickens are left?
There were 21 mountain chickens left in the wild as of October 2023, found only on the island of Dominica, though a more recent survey in October 2023 found 23 frogs. The species has faced a severe population crash due to the chytrid fungus, hunting, and habitat loss, but conservationists are optimistic about their future due to the discovery of a young, resistant frog and an ongoing captive breeding program.
Which Caribbean island eats mountain chicken?
Mountain Chicken
The legs, which form the basis of a dish, is considered Dominica’s national food. If you’ve ever had frog’s legs before, then you know that they indeed taste a lot like chicken.