Cophixalus shellyi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cophixalus shellyi |
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Cophixalus shellyi is a tiny type of frog. It belongs to a group of frogs called Microhylidae. This special frog lives only in Papua New Guinea. You can find it in the New Guinea Highlands, the Adelbert Range, and on the Huon Peninsula. The name shellyi was given to honor Father O. Shelly. He was an American missionary and a math professor. He was the first person to collect these frogs for study.
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What is Cophixalus shellyi Called?
This frog is often called Shelly's rainforest frog. People in Papua New Guinea also have a local name for it. In the Kalam language, it is known as gwnm sbmganpygak.
How to Identify Shelly's Rainforest Frog?
Size and Appearance
These frogs are quite small. Adult male frogs grow to about 17 mm (0.67 inches) long. Adult female frogs are a bit larger, reaching about 20 mm (0.79 inches). Young females can start having babies when they are around 16 mm (0.63 inches) long.
Body Features
The frog's snout, which is its nose area, is somewhat pointed. It has a very faint eardrum, called a tympanum. There is also a very light fold of skin above its eardrum. Its legs are quite long compared to its body.
Fingers and Toes
The fingers and toes of Cophixalus shellyi have small sticky pads, or discs. These discs help the frog climb. The first finger on its hand is very short. It does not have a large disc like the other fingers.
Coloration
When these frogs are preserved for study, they look grayish-brown on their backs. The sides of their heads are black. Sometimes, you might see a faint, light line running down the middle of their back.
Where Does Cophixalus shellyi Live?
Habitat Preferences
Cophixalus shellyi lives in rainforests. You can find them in low plants in hill and mountain rainforests. They even live in forests that have been logged before. These frogs live at high elevations. They are found from 1,100 to 2,900 meters (3,600 to 9,500 feet) above sea level.
Unusual Locations
Sometimes, these frogs are found in unexpected places. They have been seen in areas where landslides have occurred. They also live in rocky areas and places with rockslides.
Reproduction
Scientists believe these frogs have direct development. This means that baby frogs hatch directly from eggs. They do not have a free-swimming tadpole stage.
Is Shelly's Rainforest Frog Endangered?
Conservation Status
Cophixalus shellyi is a common species in its habitat. It is not currently facing any known threats. This means its population is stable.
Protected Areas
However, this frog is not known to live in any protected areas. Protected areas are special places set aside to keep animals and plants safe.
