Cochran Frog vs Northern naked-tailed armadillo

Nymphargus cochranae compared with Cabassous centralis

Key Differences

• Cochran Frog is Vulnerable while Northern naked-tailed armadillo is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Cochran Frog	Northern naked-tailed armadillo
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Amphibia (Amphibians)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Anura (Frogs & Toads)	Cingulata (Cingulata)
Family	Centrolenidae	Dasypodidae
Genus	Nymphargus	Cabassous
Species	Nymphargus cochranae	Cabassous centralis

Evolutionary Relationship

Cochran Frog and Northern naked-tailed armadillo share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Cochran Frog

VU — Vulnerable

Northern naked-tailed armadillo

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Cochran Frog	Northern naked-tailed armadillo
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Cochran Frog

Habitat

Typically found in freshwater habitats, moist forests, and wetlands.

Range

Found in Colombia. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Northern naked-tailed armadillo

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Cochran Frog

The Cochran frog (Nymphargus cochranae) is a small glass frog in the family Centrolenidae, native to the cloud forests of the western and central Andes in Colombia. Like other centrolenid frogs, it is characterised by semi-transparent or translucent ventral skin through which internal organs — including the heart, liver, and digestive tract — are visible, a feature that gives the family its common name. The species inhabits humid montane rainforest along streams at elevations typically between 1,500 and 2,800 metres, where males call from vegetation overhanging fast-flowing streams to attract females. Eggs are deposited in gelatinous masses on leaves or rocks above the water; upon hatching, tadpoles drop into the stream below and develop in the current-swept environment. Nymphargus cochranae is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, primarily due to ongoing deforestation and degradation of cloud forest habitats driven by agricultural expansion, cattle ranching, and coca cultivation across its Colombian Andean range. Glass frogs are additionally sensitive to stream water quality, making them useful bioindicators of watershed health. The species was named in honour of the eminent American herpetologist Doris Mable Cochran of the Smithsonian Institution, who made foundational contributions to Central and South American amphibian taxonomy in the mid-twentieth century. Continued habitat protection and reforestation efforts are critical for its long-term survival.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇨🇴 Colombia