Arthroleptella subvoce facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arthroleptella subvoce |
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The Arthroleptella subvoce is a tiny frog species that lives only in South Africa. It is often called the northern moss frog because it prefers mossy, wet places. This special frog is quite small, and its name, subvoce, means "under voice" in Latin. This is because the male frog's call is very quiet and hard to hear! It's a unique creature found only in the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area in the Western Cape province.
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What Does the Northern Moss Frog Look Like?
These frogs are really small! Adult males are about 12 to 13 millimeters long, which is less than half an inch. The only female ever studied was a bit bigger, around 14 millimeters.
- Snout: Their snout, or nose area, is rounded.
- Eyes: They have horizontal pupils, like a thin line.
- Limbs: Their arms and legs are short.
- Feet: Their fingers and toes do not have webbing, and their toe tips are only slightly wider.
- Skin: Their skin is smooth. They have two slightly raised, long patches on their back.
- Color: The top of their body is usually brown. They have dark brown spots or bands on their back. Sometimes, these marks are hard to see.
- Face: Their upper lip has a few white spots. A dark band runs from behind their eye to their front leg.
- Forelimbs: The top of their front legs is orange-brown.
- Belly: Their belly is pale with some tiny spots.
How Do They Call?
The male frog's call is very quiet, which is why it's called "under voice." It sounds like a short, pulsed chirp with 4 to 6 quick sounds. This is followed by 2 to 6 evenly spaced double clicks. Sometimes, it ends with one or two single clicks.
Where Does the Northern Moss Frog Live?
Arthroleptella subvoce lives in wet, thickly vegetated areas. These areas are called "seeps" and are found in montane fynbos. Fynbos is a type of natural shrubland found in the Western Cape of South Africa. These frogs live at high elevations, between 900 and 1100 meters (about 2,950 to 3,600 feet) above sea level. Males usually call from the bottom of dense clumps of plants called restios.
How Are They Protected?
This frog species is known from only three spots within the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area. This area is a protected space, which helps keep the frogs safe. However, even in a protected area, they face dangers.
- Habitat Loss: Their home can be damaged by fires.
- Alien Plants: Plants that are not native to the area can grow and take over their habitat.
- Water Contamination: One of the places where they live is close to human homes. This means water pollution could be a problem for them.
Protecting these small frogs and their unique habitat is very important!
