Additionally, there are a few extinct species that are only known from Late Cretaceous and Paleogene fossil remains from Patagonia in South America and the Antarctic Peninsula (at times when it was warmer and wetter).

[2][3] The helmeted water toad living today is aquatic to semi-aquatic, and found in deep ponds and reservoirs in central Chile and possibly adjacent west-central Argentina.

[5] It is threatened by capture for human consumption, habitat loss, pollution, introduced species and the disease chytridiomycosis.

[citation needed] While the species is almost entirely aquatic, especially young helmeted water toads that are recently metamorphosed from the tadpole stage often can be seen on land.

The same behavior can be directed at potential predators, including humans, although they may choose to escape silently by diving into the water.

[13] The helmeted water toad is a vulnerable species according to IUCN due to capture for human consumption (to a lesser degree also to supply the pet trade), habitat loss, pollution, introduced species (especially trout and African clawed frog) and the disease chytridiomycosis (caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis).

[1][14] Despite being illegal in Chile, wild caught individuals are still frequently sold for food in the country and control is insufficient.

The fungus has been classified as a major factor in the decline in amphibian populations worldwide, but in Chile has been reported recently, in 2009.