Carchi Andes toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carchi Andes toad |
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Andinophryne colomai Hoogmoed, 1985 |
The Carchi Andes toad (Rhaebo colomai) is a special kind of toad that lives only in a small part of South America. You can find it on the western side of the Andes mountains in northern Ecuador and southern Colombia. This toad is quite rare and is considered an endangered species. This means there aren't many left, mainly because its home is shrinking.
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What Does the Carchi Andes Toad Look Like?
The Carchi Andes toad is a medium-sized toad.
- Male toads are about 3.3 to 3.8 centimeters (about 1.3 to 1.5 inches) long. This is roughly the length of a paperclip!
- Female toads are larger, measuring about 5.5 to 5.9 centimeters (about 2.2 to 2.3 inches) long. This is about the size of a small matchbox.
Where Does the Carchi Andes Toad Live?
This unique toad has only been found in a few places.
- It lives in the northwestern Andes mountains of Ecuador, specifically in the Carchi Province.
- It has also been seen in the Nariño Department of Colombia.
- These toads prefer to live at high altitudes, usually between 1,180 and 1,500 meters (about 3,870 to 4,920 feet) above sea level.
Scientists have observed these toads in different parts of their forest home.
- One toad was found sitting on a branch about 50 centimeters (20 inches) above the ground in a forest near a small creek at night.
- Another male toad was seen at night on a tree trunk in a creek.
- A female toad was found during the afternoon on the forest floor, also close to a creek.
- What do they eat? Scientists found that one female toad's stomach was full of ants!
Why Is the Carchi Andes Toad Endangered?
The Carchi Andes toad is in danger mainly because its habitat (its natural home) is being destroyed.
- People are clearing forests for agriculture (farming) and logging (cutting down trees for wood). This means the toads lose their homes.
- In Colombia, chemicals called herbicides are sprayed to control plants on farms. These chemicals can pollute the toad's habitat, making it unsafe for them to live there.
- Because of these problems, it's very important to protect the forests where these toads live so they can survive.
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