Ansonia (frog) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ansonia (frog) |
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| Kinabalu slender toad | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Bufonidae |
| Genus: | Ansonia Stoliczka, 1870 |
| Diversity | |
| 34 species (see text) | |
Ansonia is a group of small toads, also known as stream toads or slender toads. These toads are part of the true toad family. You can find them in different parts of Asia, including southern India, northern Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Tioman Island, Borneo, and Mindanao in the Philippines.
These tiny toads usually live in forests. They are special because they lay their eggs in fast-flowing streams. Their baby toads, called tadpoles, are super good at living in these quick waters. They have special features that help them hold on and move around in the strong currents.
The name Ansonia was given by a scientist named Stoliczka. He named the genus after Colonel Edward Anson, who was the governor of Penang, an island in Malaysia, back in 1870.
Contents
About Ansonia Toads
Ansonia toads are known for being small and often having slender bodies, which is why some are called "slender toads." They are usually found near streams in their forest homes. This is very important for them because it's where they lay their eggs and where their tadpoles grow up.
Where Do Ansonia Toads Live?
These toads are found across a wide area in Southeast Asia. They live in warm, humid forests, which are perfect places for amphibians like toads. Their habitats include:
- Southern India
- Northern Thailand
- The Malay Peninsula (a long strip of land that includes parts of Malaysia and Thailand)
- Tioman Island (an island off the east coast of Malaysia)
- Borneo (a very large island shared by Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei)
- Mindanao (a large island in the Philippines)
What Makes Ansonia Tadpoles Special?
The tadpoles of Ansonia toads are quite unique. Since they live in fast-moving streams, they have developed special ways to survive. These adaptations help them:
- Hold onto rocks and other surfaces so they don't get washed away by the strong current.
- Move against the flow of water to find food and shelter.
This ability to live in "torrent" (fast-flowing) waters is a key feature of the Ansonia genus.
How Many Ansonia Species Are There?
Scientists have discovered many different types of Ansonia toads. Currently, there are over 34 known species in this genus. Each species might have slightly different colors, sizes, or markings, but they all share the common traits of being stream-dwelling toads. Some examples include the spiny slender toad, the long-fingered stream toad, and the tiny stream toad. New species are still being discovered by scientists!
See also
In Spanish: Ansonia para niños
