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Titicaca Water Frog

What is titicaca water frog?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Scientific name Telmatobius culeus[1]
Family Telmatobiidae[1]
Distribution Lake Titicaca basin, Bolivia and Peru[1]
Habitat Fully aquatic; freshwater lakes and rivers[1]
Body size Up to 20 cm in length[2]
Conservation status Endangered or critically endangered, depending on source[1]

The Titicaca water frog is a fully aquatic frog native to the Lake Titicaca basin in Bolivia and Peru. It is one of the largest aquatic frogs and absorbs oxygen through its skin. Its conservation status is endangered or critically endangered, depending on the assessment cited.

Context

The Titicaca water frog, scientifically known as *Telmatobius culeus*, is a fully aquatic frog native to the Lake Titicaca basin in Bolivia and Peru [1]. It is described as one of the largest aquatic frogs and lives entirely in water [1]. The frog absorbs oxygen through its skin, a unique adaptation to its high-altitude aquatic environment [1]. Its conservation status varies by source, with assessments listing it as either endangered or critically endangered [1]. The population trend is declining [1].

Documented claims

  • The Titicaca water frog is endemic to the Lake Titicaca basin. [1]
  • It absorbs oxygen through its skin. [1]
  • Breeding takes place near the shoreline in shallow waters. [1]

Questions and answers

Is there a such thing as a Titicaca water frog?

Yes, the Titicaca water frog is a real species, scientifically known as *Telmatobius culeus*, native to the Lake Titicaca basin [1].

Why are Titicaca water frogs endangered?

The Titicaca water frog is assessed as endangered or critically endangered, depending on the source, with a declining population trend [1].

What's unique about Titicaca frog skin?

The Titicaca water frog absorbs oxygen through its skin, which is unusual among frogs [1].

Can the Titicaca water frog breathe air?

The Titicaca water frog is fully aquatic and absorbs oxygen through its skin rather than relying on air breathing [1].

Sources

  1. Titicaca water frog – Zoo Berlin — zoo-berlin.de (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Telmatobius culeus | INFORMATION - Animal Diversity Web — animaldiversity.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Things