Hogsback frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hogsback frog |
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The Hogsback frog (also called Anhydrophryne rattrayi or Rattray's forest frog) is a special type of frog. It belongs to the Pyxicephalidae family, which includes many African frogs. This frog is one of only three species in its group, called Anhydrophryne. You can only find the Hogsback frog in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This means it is endemic to that area, living nowhere else in the world!
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Discovering the Hogsback Frog
This interesting frog was first found by Dr. George Rattray. He discovered it in the Hogsback Mountain area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Because of his discovery, the frog was named after him. A scientist named John Hewitt officially described it as a new species in 1919.
Where the Hogsback Frog Lives
The Hogsback frog lives in the Amotola, Katberg, and Keiskammahoek mountains. The Hogsback area, where it was first found, is in the Amotola mountains.
Hogsback Frog Habitat
These frogs make their homes on the ground inside forests. They especially like areas near the edge of the forest, where the trees meet open grasslands. They live at high altitudes, usually above 1,100 meters (about 3,600 feet). They prefer damp spots among fallen leaves and other plant material.
All About the Hogsback Frog
What Hogsback Frogs Look Like
These small frogs can be light grey to dark brown, and sometimes even have a coppery color. Adult frogs often have a thin, pale line running over their head and down their back. They also have two darker stripes along each side of this line. Their bellies are a mix of white and dark brown or black, which looks like a marbled pattern.
Female Hogsback frogs are usually about 21 millimeters (less than an inch) long. The males are quite a bit smaller. You can tell a male apart by a small, hard tip on its snout.
Sounds Hogsback Frogs Make
Male Hogsback frogs make a short "ping" sound. They can repeat this sound up to 15 times very quickly. Sometimes, you might hear just a single "ping." These calls are usually heard at night. However, if it's a rainy day, you might hear the males calling then too!
What Hogsback Frogs Eat
Hogsback frogs mostly eat small bugs and other tiny creatures found on the forest floor. Their diet includes things like forest fleas and woodlice. They find these meals among the damp leaves and plant bits where they live.
Hogsback Frog Life Cycle
The Hogsback frog has a very special way of reproducing. Unlike many frogs, they do not have a free-swimming tadpole stage. This is called direct development.
The female frog lays large, white eggs, each about 2.6 millimeters wide. Each egg is covered in a jelly-like capsule, making it about 6 millimeters in size. She lays up to 20 eggs inside a special nest chamber. This nest is about 20 millimeters across and has a 10-millimeter opening to the surface. The male frog is thought to dig this nest. The opening is then covered with leaves to keep the eggs safe and hidden.
For the eggs to grow properly, the nest must stay moist. The eggs take about 26 days to develop. After this time, they hatch directly into tiny froglets, about 4 millimeters long. These little froglets then leave the nest, ready to explore the forest floor!
Protecting the Hogsback Frog
Sadly, the Hogsback frog is currently classified as vulnerable. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered. The main reason for this is that its natural habitat is shrinking. Protecting the forests where they live is very important for the survival of these unique frogs.
