CR

Raorchestes aureus

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Raorchestes aureus faces severe population decline due to rapid deforestation and habitat conversion in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinction from even small-scale habitat disturbances. Agricultural expansion and human settlement development have fragmented the remaining forest patches where this endemic frog survives.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits montane evergreen forests in the Western Ghats of India, typically found in leaf litter and low vegetation of primary forest areas. It requires intact forest canopy and high humidity levels characteristic of undisturbed tropical montane ecosystems.

Forest· majorGrassland· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

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CR

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Raorchestes aureus classified as Critically Endangered?
Raorchestes aureus 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. Raorchestes aureus faces severe population decline due to rapid deforestation and habitat conversion in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinction from even small-scale habitat disturbances. Agricultural expansion and human settlement development have fragmented the remaining forest patches where this endemic frog survives.
Where does Raorchestes aureus live?
Raorchestes aureus occurs in India. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Raorchestes aureus?
The main threats to Raorchestes aureus are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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