Cornufer guppyi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cornufer guppyi |
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Rana guppyi Boulenger, 1884 Discodeles guppyi Boulenger, 1884 |
The Shortland Island webbed frog or giant webbed frog (scientific name: Cornufer guppyi) is a very large type of frog. It belongs to the family called Ceratobatrachidae. This frog was named after a British surgeon, Henry B. Guppy, who first found it in the Shortland Islands.
You can find Cornufer guppyi in New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea. It also lives across many of the Solomon Islands. However, it is not found on Makira island.
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Meet the Giant Webbed Frog
This frog is truly giant! Female Cornufer guppyi can grow up to 250 mm (9.8 in) long from their snout to their bottom. They can even weigh as much as 1 kg (2.2 lb), which is like a big bag of sugar!
What Does It Look Like?
The Shortland Island webbed frog has a rounded snout. It has round eardrums, called tympanums, on the sides of its head. Its fingers and toes have slightly wide tips. Its toes are completely webbed, which helps it swim. This frog also has long legs. Male frogs have special pouches, called vocal sacs, outside their bodies that help them make loud calls.
Frog Colors
These frogs can be many different colors. Some are light tan or almost white. Others are grayish or dark reddish-brown. They often have darker brown or blackish patterns on their skin. Their bellies are usually light tan or whitish. Sometimes, their bellies have brown spots or speckles.
How People Interact with This Frog
People in some areas often use Cornufer guppyi for food. They listen for the frog's calls during rain to find them. March is often said to be the best time to look for these frogs.
Finding the Frogs
Sometimes, people use a whistle to find these frogs. The frogs will respond to the sound. It is also said that snapping a twig can trick the frog. It might think one of its own legs has broken!
Special Beliefs
Some tribes believe that if you see this frog in a garden, it means the soil is healthy. Because of this belief, these tribes usually do not eat the frog. People also sometimes grind up the frog's bones. They then put the powder on their skin to help treat bites from snakes or centipedes.
Where the Giant Webbed Frog Lives
Cornufer guppyi is a common type of frog. It lives near streams and small rivers in lowland rainforests. You can find it up to 700 m (2,300 ft) above sea level.
Its Home Environment
This frog can also live in places where the habitat has changed a bit. You might find it in rural gardens or forests that have been partly cut down. It has even been found living in caves!
What Threats Does It Face?
Even though it's common, this frog can be affected by certain things. Losing its home because of logging can be a problem. People also collect these frogs for food or to sell as pets. Domestic dogs and cats sometimes eat them too.
