### Identification The Adorned Robber Frog (*Craugastor decoratus*) is a small, cryptic gem of the leaf litter, typically measuring between 22 and 35 mm. Its most striking field mark is a dark, elegant "W-shaped" ridge across the shoulders (scapular region) and a distinct dark mask stretching from the pointed snout, through the eye, to the shoulder. The skin is finely granular, ranging from coffee-brown to a pale, lichen-grey mosaic. Look for the "supratympanic fold"—a subtle skin ridge above the ear—and long, slender toes that lack any webbing, a key feature distinguishing it from similar-looking treefrogs.
### Habitat & Range This species is a specialist of the humid, mist-shrouded cloud forests and pine-oak woodlands of Mexico’s Sierra Madre Oriental, specifically within Veracruz, Puebla, and Hidalgo. You’ll find them at elevations between 800 and 2,000 meters, typically hunkered down in deep, moist leaf litter or hiding within the damp crevices of limestone outcrops and coffee plantations.
### Behaviour A nocturnal prowler, *C. decoratus* spends its days perfectly camouflaged against the forest floor. During humid nights, males emit a sharp, metallic "peep" to attract mates. Unlike many amphibians, they are entirely terrestrial; they don't migrate to ponds to breed. Instead, they rely on the high humidity of the cloud forest to keep their skin and eggs moist.
### Diet As an ambush predator of the undergrowth, it feeds on a variety of small invertebrates. Its diet primarily consists of ants, beetles, and tiny spiders found within the leaf mulch. It sits motionless until prey wanders within striking distance, then lunges with surprising speed.
### Fascinating Fact The Adorned Robber Frog has completely "robbed" the water of its role in parenthood! It undergoes direct development, meaning it skips the tadpole stage entirely. Females lay eggs in damp soil, and inside the translucent capsules, the embryos develop fully, eventually hatching as perfectly formed, microscopic "froglets."