Elusive Bornean Rainbow Toad Finally Shows True Colors

The Bornean Rainbow Toad, which has eluded scientists for many years, recently showed its color for the time in Malaysia.

Local scientists in Malaysia discovered the Bornean Rainbow Toad that hasn't been seen for about 87 years.

Not only is the Rainbow Toad considered one of the world's most elusive amphibians, but it's listed as an endangered species by Conservation International.

The Bornean Rainbow Toad is also called the Sambas Stream Toad and is known scientifically as Ansonia latidisca. Its recent sighting in Malaysia's Sarawak State provides science with its first-ever photographs of the endangered spindly-legged species and new hope for the region's biodiversity, according to Conservation International.

Following its 87-year hiatus, scientists found three of the missing toads up a tree while on nighttime search after spending months in remote forests, Conservation International stated. The find include an adult female, an adult male, and a juvenile, ranging from 51 millimeters to 30 millimeters respectively.

Many thought the toads were extinct. But it was spotted and photographed by Indraneil Das of the University of Malaysia in Sarawak, who has targeted rediscovering the lost toad since last August .

The toad is endangered because its natural habitat is been lost to logging. Its amazing rainbow of colors attracts people who prize the toads as pets. Das hasn't released the exact location where the toads were spotted because he doesn't want people going after them.

Thrilling discoveries like this beautiful toad, and the critical importance of amphibians to healthy ecosystems, are what fuel us to keep searching for lost species, Das said. They remind us that nature still holds precious secrets that we are still uncovering, which is why targeted protection and conservation is so important. Amphibians are indicators of environmental health, with direct implications for human health. Their benefits to people should not be underestimated.