Carchi Andes frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carchi Andes frog |
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The Carchi Andes frog (scientific name: Niceforonia brunnea) is a special type of frog. It belongs to the Strabomantidae family. You can find this frog in the Andes mountains. Its home is in southern Colombia and northern Ecuador. The name brunnea means "brown," which describes its usual color.
Meet the Carchi Andes Frog!
These frogs are quite small. Adult male Carchi Andes frogs are about 2.6 to 2.8 centimeters (about 1 inch) long. This is measured from the tip of their nose to their rear end. We only have information from one adult female, and she was about 3 centimeters (just over 1 inch) long.
The frog's head is wider than it is long. But it is still narrower than its body. Its snout, or nose area, is rounded. The frog has a visible eardrum, called a tympanum. There is a thick fold of skin above the eardrum. This fold partly hides the eardrum.
The Carchi Andes frog's fingers and toes do not have any extra skin or webbing. Their fingertips are rounded. They are not wide or flat. These frogs are usually brown. They might have some darker spots that are hard to see. Their underside is lighter. It can be a grayish color or a pale brown.
Where Do They Live?
The Carchi Andes frog lives high up in the Andes mountains. They can be found in high-Andean forests. They also live in a type of grassland called páramo. These areas are very high, from about 2,950 to 4,100 meters (9,678 to 13,451 feet) above sea level.
Scientists have found these frogs hiding under logs in wet fields. They have also been found in holes in the ground. Unlike many frogs, Carchi Andes frogs do not have a tadpole stage. Instead, their eggs hatch directly into tiny frogs.
Protecting the Carchi Andes Frog
Sometimes, you can find many Carchi Andes frogs in one area. However, scientists believe their total number is going down. The biggest danger to these frogs is when their homes are destroyed. This happens because people are expanding farms. They grow illegal crops or raise livestock like cows.
Pollution from farm chemicals is also a problem for these frogs. Luckily, the Carchi Andes frog lives in at least one protected area. This helps to keep them safe.
