Choerophryne valkuriarum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Choerophryne valkuriarum |
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Albericus valkuriarum Menzies, 1999 |
Choerophryne valkuriarum is a tiny frog that belongs to the Microhylidae family. It lives only in the eastern part of New Guinea, specifically in Papua New Guinea. You can find it in places like the Ekuti Dividing Range near Wau and south to Myola in the Owen Stanley Range. Scientists think there might be more than one type of frog hiding under this name!
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What's in a Name?
This frog was first placed in a group called Albericus. That name came from Alberich, a dwarf from old Scandinavian stories and Richard Wagner's famous operas. The scientist who named this frog, Menzies, liked to name these frogs after Alberich's friends from the myths. So, valkuriarum comes from the valkyries, who were powerful female figures in those same stories!
What Does It Look Like?
Choerophryne valkuriarum is quite small. The frogs studied for its description were about 14 to 20 millimeters long. That's less than an inch! All of these first frogs were males. They have short legs. Some of these tiny frogs even have a line down their back or special spots on their sides.
How Do They Talk?
Male Choerophryne valkuriarum frogs make a special sound to attract mates. Their call is a series of single "clicks." They can click very fast, sometimes up to 120 clicks in just one minute! Their clicks don't sound like a song; they are more like simple tapping noises.
Where Do They Live?
This frog lives in rainforests high up in the mountains. You can find them between 2,000 and 2,930 meters (about 6,500 to 9,600 feet) above sea level. They prefer the forest edge, but sometimes they can be found in small gardens in rural areas. However, they don't do well if their home is badly damaged.
Frog Babies
Unlike many frogs that lay eggs that hatch into tadpoles, Choerophryne valkuriarum frogs likely have "direct development." This means their eggs probably hatch directly into tiny froglets, skipping the tadpole stage completely!
Keeping Them Safe
These frogs are very common in their habitat. But, their homes can be threatened by people changing the land. Luckily, they live in protected areas like the Mount Kaindi Wildlife Management Area, which helps keep them safe.
