About Rhinella atacamensis (Cei, 1962)
Rhinella atacamensis, commonly known as the Vallenar toad or Atacama toad, is a species of toad that belongs to the Bufonidae family. This species is endemic to Chile, where its range extends between Paposo in the Antofagasta Region and Las Chilcas in the Valparaíso Region. It lives in the desert Pacific coastal region that experiences Mediterranean climate influences, which includes the Chilean matorral habitat. It can be found in oases and streams, as well as in the areas directly surrounding these water sources. Breeding for this species occurs in permanent pools, which include livestock water tanks, along with streams and rivers. Although Rhinella atacamensis is abundant at a small number of sites, the species has undergone an overall population decline, and has become locally extinct at some locations within its original range. Threats impacting this species include extensive droughts, water pollution, surface water extraction, mining activities, agriculture, livestock farming, and timber plantations.
