Atelopus laetissimus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atelopus laetissimus |
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Atelopus laetissimus, also known as the Santa Marta Harlequin Frog, is a special kind of toad. It belongs to the Bufonidae family, which includes many types of toads. This frog is found only in Colombia, specifically in the northwestern part of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains. It lives in the Magdalena Department of Colombia. Scientists first discovered it in this specific area.
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What Does the Santa Marta Harlequin Frog Look Like?
Size and Shape
Adult male Santa Marta Harlequin Frogs are about 35 to 39 millimeters (about 1.4 to 1.5 inches) long. This measurement is from their snout (nose) to their vent (tail end). Scientists have only found one adult female so far. She was larger, measuring about 54 millimeters (about 2.1 inches) long.
The male frogs have a pointed snout when you look at them from above. The female's snout is slightly less pointed. These frogs do not have a visible eardrum, which is called a tympanum.
Feet and Skin
Their fingers have small traces of webbing at the base. Their toes are more webbed. Toes I to III are fully webbed, while toes IV and V are partly webbed.
The skin on the front of their head is smooth. However, the rest of their body has small bumps. These bumps are called granules, tubercles, and warts. They are especially noticeable around where the eardrum would be.
Colors and Patterns
The top of the frog's body can be olive green, yellowish olive, or a brownish-yellow color. It often has spots. There is a dark brown mark between their eyes that looks like an "X". They also have an upside-down "V" shape on their back.
The underside of the frog can be olive, cream, or a rusty color. It has light green, pale purple, or brown spots. Sometimes, it has small speckles or wavy patterns.
Where Does the Santa Marta Harlequin Frog Live?
Natural Home and Elevation
The Santa Marta Harlequin Frog lives in Sub-Andean forests. These are forests found on the lower slopes of the Andes mountains. They live at high elevations, from about 1,900 to 2,880 meters (about 6,230 to 9,450 feet) above sea level.
Forest Types and Breeding
These frogs have been found in two types of forests. One is a secondary forest with a thick canopy, meaning the tree branches form a dense roof. The other is a riparian forest, which is a forest found along the banks of rivers or streams.
The frogs lay their eggs and raise their young in streams. This means streams are very important for their survival.
Why is the Santa Marta Harlequin Frog Important to Protect?
Population Status
The Santa Marta Harlequin Frog is only known from three separate places. Even though the populations seem stable and sometimes have many frogs, most of the frogs seen are males. Scientists are still trying to understand why there are so few females observed.
Threats to Their Survival
One big threat to these frogs is habitat loss. This means their forest homes are being destroyed. People are cutting down trees to create land for pastures, which are fields for grazing animals. This is a serious problem for one of the frog populations.
Another possible threat is a serious disease that affects frogs. It is called chytridiomycosis. As of 2014, this disease had not been found in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta area. However, scientists are still watching out for it.
Conservation Efforts
Luckily, the Santa Marta Harlequin Frog lives in protected areas. It can be found in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park. It also lives in the El Dorado Nature Reserve, which is next to the national park. These protected areas help keep their habitat safe.
