Bioko squeaker frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bioko squeaker frog |
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The Bioko squeaker frog (scientific name: Arthroleptis bioko) is a small frog. It belongs to a group of frogs called Arthroleptis. This frog lives only in Equatorial Guinea. Scientists first officially described it in 2010. Today, it is listed as an Endangered animal. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever.
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About the Bioko Squeaker Frog
What Does It Look Like?
The Bioko squeaker frog is a medium-sized frog. It has a head that is quite thin. Its eyes have round pupils and stick out a bit from the sides of its head.
This frog has special features on its skin. It has small ridges on the sides of its body. It also has tiny, spiky bumps on its back and sides.
Scientists have mostly studied male frogs to describe this species. These males are about 26.7 to 33.4 millimeters long. That's about the size of a large paperclip!
Its Fingers and Toes
The Bioko squeaker frog has four fingers on its front legs. The third finger is the longest. On its back legs, it has five toes. The fourth toe is the longest.
Its fingers and toes have wide, rounded tips. There is no skin connecting them, so they don't have webbing.
Color and Special Male Features
These frogs are usually grayish-brown. They have some darker brown spots and patches of light brownish-gray on their backs. The eardrum area (tympanum) is dark and not very clear. The tips of their fingers and toes do not have any color.
Male Bioko squeaker frogs have a few unique traits. Their third finger is longer than in females. They also have spiny bumps on their toes and near their crotch. The skin around their throats is stretched and darker in color. Both their pupils and the colored part of their eyes (iris) are gray.
Where the Bioko Squeaker Frog Lives
Its Home in Equatorial Guinea
The Bioko squeaker frog lives only in Equatorial Guinea. It can be found in just a few specific places, maybe one to four locations. These frogs live at high elevations, from about 1,321 to 1,820 meters above sea level.
Why It's Endangered
The IUCN Red List has listed this frog as Endangered. This is because its population is shrinking. However, scientists don't know exactly why or how fast it's declining. Climate change might also be a reason for fewer frogs.
How It Lives and Behaves
Its Forest Life
The Bioko squeaker frog lives in the forests of Bioko island. It likes to hide in the fallen leaves on the forest floor. You might also spot these frogs near water, like small streams.
Threats to the Species
Scientists don't know much about how well this frog can handle changes to its home. They also don't know if it can live in places that have been changed by humans. It seems that people moving into its habitat might be a bigger threat than the forest itself disappearing.
See also
In Spanish: Arthroleptis bioko para niños
