Cophixalus pipilans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cophixalus pipilans |
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The Cophixalus pipilans is a small frog that belongs to the Microhylidae family. It is also known as the Sempi rainforest frog. This frog is special because it is found only in a specific area: the northern part of Papua New Guinea. You can find it living between the cities of Lae and the Adelbert Mountains. Its scientific name, pipilans, comes from a Latin word meaning "peeping," which probably describes the sound it makes!
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What Does the Sempi Rainforest Frog Look Like?
These tiny frogs are quite small. Adult male frogs are usually about 16 to 19 millimeters long. That's less than an inch! Female frogs are a little bigger, measuring about 18 to 22 millimeters long.
The frog's head is not too wide, and its snout (nose area) is a bit pointy. Its eardrums, called the tympanum, are hard to see. The first finger on its hand is very short and doesn't have a sticky pad. However, its other fingers and all its toes have well-developed sticky pads, which help it climb. It doesn't have any webbing between its fingers or toes.
The Sempi rainforest frog's back is usually brown or yellowish-tan. It often has a black "mask" on its face. Sometimes, the middle of its back is much lighter in color, standing out from its sides. The skin around its groin (where its legs meet its body) and on the front and back of its thighs can have a pink or reddish-orange color. Its throat and chest are gray with light spots.
When male frogs want to attract a mate, they make a special call. It's a series of soft, high-pitched beeps. They usually make these beeps in groups of 20 to 33 sounds.
Where Does the Sempi Rainforest Frog Live?
The Sempi rainforest frog lives in lowland rainforests. These are forests found in lower areas, up to about 700 meters (about 2,300 feet) above sea level. During the day, you might find these frogs hiding in the fallen leaves on the forest floor. At night, they climb onto low shrubs, usually no more than 1 meter (about 3 feet) off the ground.
Male frogs typically call out on humid nights, especially after it has recently rained. These frogs have a unique way of developing: their eggs hatch directly into tiny froglets, without going through a tadpole stage that lives in water.
Is the Sempi Rainforest Frog Safe?
The Sempi rainforest frog is a common species in its habitat. However, some groups of these frogs could be in danger because of logging, which is when trees are cut down. Currently, we don't know if any of these frogs live in special protected areas, like national parks, where they would be safe from such threats.
Images for kids
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This map shows where the Sempi rainforest frog lives in Papua New Guinea.
