The unnamed, 0.7-inch-long (2-centimeter-long) toad is "easily one of the strangest amphibians I have ever seen," added Moore, an amphibian-conservation expert for Conservation International.
The toad also has an odd reproductive habit: skipping the tadpole stage. Females lay eggs on the rain forest floor that produce into fully formed toadlets.
Rocket Frog
A new species of rocket frog (pictured), found in September, is less toxic and more drably colored than other poison dart frog species, conservationists said this week
Living in and around streams, the 1.2-inch-long (3-centimeter-long) frogs carefully carry newly hatched tadpoles on their backs awaiting they reach water, where the tadpoles total their development.
Red-Eyed Mystery Toad
Found in steep Colombian cloud forests in September, this new species of toad has puzzled scientists. The toad's genus is still secrecy as is the reason for its ruby-colored eyes.
"I have never seen a toad with such vibrant red eyes," Conservation International's Moore said in a statement released this week.
"This trait is highly unusual for amphibians, and its discovery offers us a terrific opportunity to learn more about how and why it adapted this way."
New Frog Gathers No Moss
All three newfound species (pictured, the red-eyed toad in September) were active during the daytime, an unusual occurrence in amphibians, according to Conservation International.
Their daytime habits likely helped the scientists spot the new animals during the weeklong expedition.
"Finding three new species in such a short space of time," Conservation International's Moore said, "speaks to the incredibly rich biodiversity of these relatively unexplored forests and highlights their importance for conservation."
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