Bokermannohyla sagarana facts for kids
Bokermannohyla sagarana is a special type of frog that belongs to the Hylidae family, also known as tree frogs. This frog lives only in the Espinhaço Mountains in Minas Gerais, a state in southeastern Brazil. Its unique name, sagarana, comes from a famous book called Sagarana by a Brazilian writer named João Guimarães Rosa.
Quick facts for kids Bokermannohyla sagarana |
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What Does It Look Like?
These frogs are medium-sized. Adult male Bokermannohyla sagarana frogs are about 4.7 to 5.5 centimeters (about 1.8 to 2.1 inches) long. Female frogs are a bit smaller, around 4.5 to 4.9 centimeters (about 1.7 to 1.9 inches) long.
Their snout, which is the front part of their head, is short and flat. They have big, noticeable eyes. You can clearly see their eardrum, which is only slightly covered by a small fold of skin near their ear.
The skin on their back is gray. It has dark gray blotches on a lighter gray background. This pattern makes them look like lichen growing on rocks, helping them blend in! Their front legs are quite strong and thick. Their fingers have a small amount of webbing at the bottom and have oval-shaped pads at the tips.
The back legs of these frogs are light in color. They have striking dark stripes across them. Their toes are partly webbed and also have small pads at the ends. Male frogs have a single throat sac that they use to make calls.
Where Does It Live and Is It Safe?
Bokermannohyla sagarana lives in rocky mountain meadows. These areas are called campo rupestre in Brazil. They live at high elevations, usually between 1,180 and 1,225 meters (about 3,870 to 4,020 feet) above sea level.
These frogs are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. You can often find them near small, temporary streams that flow over rocks. They also like wet rock surfaces and the forests along permanent streams.
Even though this frog species is common, its home is small and broken up into many pieces. The biggest threat to these frogs is the loss of their habitat. This happens because of new tree plantations being grown in their area. Luckily, the Bokermannohyla sagarana gets some protection from the Serra do Cabral State Park. This park helps keep their natural home safe.
