Black Mountain boulder frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black Mountain boulder frog |
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The Black Mountain boulder frog (Cophixalus saxatilis) is a special type of frog that lives only in Australia. It's also known as the rock haunting frog or the Black Mountain rainforest frog because it loves to hang out on rocks! This unique frog is part of the Microhylidae family.
Where Does This Frog Live?
This amazing frog is found only in Australia. Its populations are now restricted to a special place called Kalkajaka National Park in Queensland. This park is sometimes called the "Black Mountains." It's about 25 kilometers southwest of Cooktown, Queensland.
The frog's original homes were warm, wet lowland forests, rocky areas, and caves. These areas have become much smaller over time.
What Makes This Frog Special?
The Black Mountain boulder frog is one of Australia's largest frogs in its group. It's about the size of a walnut! These frogs have big eyes.
Most frogs lay their eggs in water. But not this one! The Black Mountain boulder frog lays its eggs on land. An adult frog stays with the eggs and takes care of the young. When the babies hatch, they are already tiny froglets. They don't have a tadpole stage like many other frogs.
The male frogs are smaller and mottled brown. They are often heard more easily than seen. Their call is a sharp tapping noise.
These frogs can move almost like crabs on the granite boulders. But if they get scared, they can quickly disappear with a series of leaps. At night, these frogs come out to look for food. They search on the mountain's boulders and in the nearby fig trees and rainforest edges.
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