Bleeding Toad
CR

Bleeding Toad

Leptophryne cruentata

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleeding_toad

Overview

The bleeding toad, fire toad or Indonesian tree toad is a species of true toad in the amphibian family Bufonidae, endemic to Java, Indonesia. L. javanica was, formerly, synonymous with the bleeding toad prior to its description as a distinct species in 2018, although the degree of differentiation between these species is low.

The bleeding toad is listed as a critically endangered species due to a drastic population decline. The factors behind this decline are unclear, but appear consistent with the global spread of chytrid fungus, a particularly lethal fungal spore for frogs and toads; once infected, the animals develop a condition known as chytridiomycosis before ultimately dying.

Leptophryne cruentata faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in Java, Indonesia. The species is particularly vulnerable to chytrid fungal infections, which have devastated amphibian populations throughout Southeast Asia. Stream pollution from agricultural runoff and domestic waste further degrades the pristine water quality this species requires for successful reproduction.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered frog inhabits montane forest streams and adjacent riparian vegetation in the highlands of Java, Indonesia, typically at elevations between 1,000-2,000 meters. The species requires clean, fast-flowing streams with rocky substrates and dense canopy cover that maintains cool, humid microclimates essential for its survival.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservationPolicies and regulations

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Bleeding Toad classified as Critically Endangered?
Bleeding Toad is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Leptophryne cruentata faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in Java, Indonesia. The species is particularly vulnerable to chytrid fungal infections, which have devastated amphibian populations throughout Southeast Asia. Stream pollution from agricultural runoff and domestic waste further degrades the pristine water quality this species requires for successful reproduction.
Where does Bleeding Toad live?
Bleeding Toad occurs in Indonesia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Bleeding Toad?
The main threats to Bleeding Toad are 10.1, 6.1, 8.1, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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