Cauca poison frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cauca poison frog |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Andinobates
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| Species: |
bombetes
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The Cauca poison frog (Andinobates bombetes) is a tiny, colorful frog that belongs to the poison dart frog family, Dendrobatidae. It is also known by its older scientific names, Dendrobates bombetes and Ranitomeya bombetes. This special frog lives only in Colombia, a country in South America.
These frogs get their name because their skin can produce a powerful poison. This poison helps protect them from predators who might try to eat them.
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Where the Cauca Poison Frog Lives
The Cauca poison frog makes its home in specific types of forests in Colombia. It likes warm, dry forests in subtropical areas. It also lives in moist, tropical forests found on mountainsides. These mountain forests are called montane forests.
These forests provide everything the frog needs to survive, like food, water, and places to hide.
Why This Frog is Special
Scientists have studied many poison frogs to understand how they behave. The Cauca poison frog is interesting because it doesn't travel very far from its home. This is called "homing ability." Compared to other poison frogs, the Cauca poison frog tends to stay closer to where it was born or where it usually lives.
Dangers to the Cauca Poison Frog
Sadly, the Cauca poison frog is facing a big problem: habitat loss. This means that the natural places where it lives are disappearing. Forests are being cut down for farming, building, or other human activities. When their habitat is destroyed, these frogs lose their homes and can't find food or safe places to live. This makes it harder for them to survive and thrive.
See also
In Spanish: Ranita venenosa del Valle del Cauca para niños
