Mountain night frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain night frog |
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The Astylosternus montanus, also called the mountain night frog, is a special type of frog. It is part of the Arthroleptidae frog family. You can find this frog living in the mountains of western Cameroon. It also lives in the Obudu Plateau area of south-eastern Nigeria.
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What Does the Mountain Night Frog Look Like?
The mountain night frog has a short, strong body. Male frogs grow to about 44 mm (1.7 in) long. Female frogs are a bit bigger, reaching about 52 mm (2 in) long. This measurement is from their nose to their bottom.
Their head is a little longer than it is wide. Their legs are strong but quite short. The frog's back can feel bumpy, especially near the rear. It might also have a few short ridges along its sides.
Colors and Patterns
The color of their back can be different shades. You might see them in beige, yellow, grey, or even chocolate brown. They often have many clear black spots on their back. Their belly area is usually a dull yellow with darker patterns.
Special Features of Males
Male frogs have a large black pad on their thumb. This is called a nuptial pad. It helps them hold onto the female during mating. Males also have many tiny spines on their throat.
How Males Call
When male frogs want to attract a mate, they make a short, strong sound. It can sound like "dlouk," "hou," or "rrra."
Where the Mountain Night Frog Lives
The mountain night frog likes to live near flowing water. You can find them in forests on mountainsides. They also live in areas with tall grass or along streams in gallery forests. These frogs live at heights from about 900 to 2029 meters (2,950 to 6,660 feet) above sea level.
Their Home Environment
At night, they can sometimes wander into drier spots. You might see them along forest paths or in farm areas. They need some tree cover to survive, even if the forest is a bit changed.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
These frogs breed in flowing water. The male frogs make their calls from inside rock caves or while in the water.
Protecting the Mountain Night Frog
The mountain night frog is a common species. However, its home is slowly shrinking or getting damaged. This is called habitat loss. Even though they can adapt a little, they still need their natural environment.
Sometimes, these frogs are caught by people for food. We don't know if they live in any special protected areas.
