Blaira rubigina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blaira rubigina |
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Ansonia rubigina Pillai and Pattabiraman, 1981 |
Blaira rubigina is a special kind of toad that belongs to the Bufonidae family, which includes many types of toads. This toad is found only in a specific part of India, in the southern Western Ghats mountains. It lives in places like Silent Valley and Wynaad, both located in the state of Kerala. People also call it by other names, such as the Kerala stream toad, the Silent Valley torrent toad, or the red torrent toad.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
These toads are quite small. They measure about 36–40 mm (1.4–1.6 in) from their snout (nose) to their vent (the opening at the end of their body).
Special Features
- They do not have bony ridges on their head (called cranial ridges).
- They also don't have large parotoid glands, which are special glands found behind the eyes of some toads.
- Their eardrum, called the tympanum, is easy to see and feels smooth.
- Their legs are thin.
- Their fingers do not have webbing between them, but the tips of their fingers are a bit swollen.
- Their toes are almost completely webbed, and their toe tips are also swollen.
Skin and Color
The skin on their back, sides, and the top of their legs is covered in small bumps, making it feel rough. The skin on their belly is also rough. They have tiny, sharp bumps on their throat and chest, and flatter bumps on their belly and the underside of their legs.
The back of the Blaira rubigina is a bright brick-red color. Their belly is brownish-black with wavy, worm-like patterns. Their throat is a bright orange, and they have orange spots on their chest, belly, and the underside of their thighs. Their sides are brownish.
Where Does It Live and How Is It Protected?
The Blaira rubigina toad lives in tropical evergreen forests. These are forests that stay green all year round. It can be found at high places, between 1,000–1,200 m (3,300–3,900 ft) above sea level.
This toad likes to live near fast-flowing streams and on the forest floor. It probably lays its eggs and has its babies in these streams.
Conservation Efforts
A large group of these toads lives inside the Silent Valley National Park. This park helps protect them and their home. However, scientists don't know many other places where this toad lives. Because of this, it's very important to keep a close eye on their population to make sure they stay safe and healthy in the wild.
