The Monteverde golden toad, a native of the mist-shrouded tropical rain forests of Costa Rica, was first observed in the 1960's. However, they quickly began to vanish. Only 10 were sighted in 1988, then only one the following year, and none has been seen since. The toads can live up to 12 years. Does the fact that no one has seen them for 11 years mean that they are now virtually extinct? Like other amphibians, the golden toad's demise was probably caused by a number of environmental factors including pollution of waterways, acid rain, climate changes such as global warming, ultraviolet radiation, as well as over exploitation by humans as a source of food (Americans ate frogs legs from 26 million frogs between 1981 and 1984!) and for their skins for wallets and purses in Brazil and Thailand.

This gold toad is climbing up a bamboo stalk. A butterfly is resting on the other side. The clasp is an insect and there is another insect painted inside. The box is marked Artoria Peint Main, Limoges France and is signed and numbered by the artist. It measures 2¼"h x 1"w.