Cardioglossa oreas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cardioglossa oreas |
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The Cardioglossa oreas, often called the Mount Okou long-fingered frog, is a unique type of frog. It belongs to the Arthroleptidae family. This frog lives only in Cameroon, a country in Africa. You can find it in the Western High Plateau, specifically between Mount Oku and the Bamboutos Mountains. Other frogs found near Mount Manengouba are a different species, Cardioglossa manengouba.
What Does It Look Like?
Male Mount Okou long-fingered frogs are quite small. They measure about 23 millimeters (less than an inch) from their snout to their rear end. Females are a bit larger, measuring between 27 and 30 millimeters.
This frog is special because, unlike most frogs in its group, the males do not have long third fingers. However, males and females still look different. This is called sexual dimorphism. Male frogs have small spines on their fingers, but females do not.
Another unusual thing about this frog is its tympanum. The tympanum is like an eardrum. In the Mount Okou long-fingered frog, it is very small and hard to see. Most other frogs in the Cardioglossa group have a more noticeable tympanum. Also, this frog does not have the usual patterns on its back or a white line under its ear-like area. Even with these differences, scientists know it's a true Cardioglossa frog because of its genetic information.
Where Does It Live and How Is It Doing?
The Mount Okou long-fingered frog lives in mountain forests. It often prefers bamboo forests. You might also find it in areas where trees are still present, even if the habitat has changed a bit. These frogs usually live near fast-flowing streams. This is where they lay their eggs and raise their young.
They live at high altitudes, from about 1,900 to 2,650 meters (about 6,200 to 8,700 feet) above sea level.
Even though the Mount Okou long-fingered frog is common in its small home area, its habitat is shrinking. The forests where it lives are becoming smaller and separated. This makes it harder for the frogs to move around and find mates. This frog is found in the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve, which helps protect some of its habitat.
