Magical, Mystical Frog
In the Andes near the Peruvian-Bolivian border, at altitudes of 12,507 feet above sea level, lies Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca and surrounding environments are harsh and extreme, being exposed to freezing temperatures, high levels of UV radiation, and low oxygen content. Amidst this extreme environment lives T. culeus, an extraordinary frog perfectly adapted for such a habitat.

Telmatobius culeus is referred to as the Lake Titicaca Frog, and is only found in Lake Titicaca. Because of the lower oxygen content in and around the lake, T. culeus must have an efficient method of obtaining the necessary amount of oxygen for survival. To do this, T. culeus respires mainly by means of cutaneous respiration (breathing through the skin), is exclusively aquatic, and possesses large folds of skin all over the body that make it appear flabby and prehistoric. The extra folds of skin increase the amount of oxygen absorbed through the skin because they increase the surface area to volume ratio; a characteristic that is also observed in other permanently aquatic amphibians. These frogs also do "push-ups" that create small disturbances in the water, which increases oxygen flow. The unique blood of T. culeus also aids oxygen absorption. The blood has the smallest erythrocytes (red blood cells) of all the amphibians, and the highest amount of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin are molecules in the blood that bind to oxygen, so the more hemoglobin an animal has, the more oxygen it can carry in the blood at one time. Because of their aquatic nature, these frogs have evolved reduced lungs, and rely almost entirely on cutaneous respiration. 

Lake Titicaca frogs are large, around 12 inches long, with baggy folds of skin along the abdomen, legs, stomach, and neck. The coloration can be anything from olive green with peach-colored bellies, to gray with black mottling on the backs. Some are even entirely black with or without white marbling. Most individuals are dark colored dorsally, an adaptation to cope with the high UV levels present at such high altitudes.

Locals that live around the lake have revered the frogs as rain-makers, with divine powers. This is probably attributed to the fact that the frogs come up to the surface when it is about to rain, where the locals capture them and hold them in small containers. A few hours or days later when it starts to rain, the frogs are given credit for the occurrence.

Although classed as "vulnerable" with C.I.T.E.S., T. culeus are eaten in restaurants in Bolivia and Peru, and are a popular tourist dish. Recently, they have been collected for use in what the natives call frog juice, or Peruvian viagra. The frogs are literally put in a blender, and consumed.

Hofrichter, Robert. Amphibians: The World of Frogs, Toads, Salamanders and Newts. Firefly Books, 2000.

Oxford, Pete (2003). In the Land of Giant Frogs. National Wildlife Federation. http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?articleId=837&issueId=65. (Accessed: 2001-2003).