Cornufer schmidti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cornufer schmidti |
|
---|---|
Conservation status | |
Scientific classification | |
Synonyms | |
|
Cornufer schmidti is a type of frog that belongs to the Ceratobatrachidae family. It was first identified in 1968. This frog is special because it only lives in the Bismarck Archipelago in Papua New Guinea. You can find it on islands like New Britain, New Ireland, and Manus. Scientists are still studying if the frogs on Manus Island might be a slightly different kind of frog.
What's in a Name?
This frog, Cornufer schmidti, is named after a famous American scientist named Karl Patterson Schmidt. He studied reptiles and amphibians, which are animals like frogs and snakes. Because of him, this frog is also sometimes called Schmidt's wrinkled ground frog.
What Does It Look Like?
Adult male Cornufer schmidti frogs are about 30 to 40 millimeters long. That's about 1.2 to 1.6 inches. The adult females are a bit bigger, measuring 40 to 60 millimeters long, or about 1.6 to 2.4 inches. This measurement is taken from their snout (nose) to their vent (where waste leaves the body).
Their snout can be rounded or slightly pointed. They have clear, medium-sized eardrums, called a tympanum. Their finger tips are wide and flat, like small discs. Their toes have smaller discs and are slightly webbed, meaning they have a bit of skin between them. The frog's back often has small to medium folds or wrinkles scattered across it.
Where Does It Live?
Cornufer schmidti lives in lowland rainforests. You can also find it in forests that have been changed by people, like plantations and gardens. These frogs often hang out near piles of coconut husks.
This frog species is very common and can adapt to different places. This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing. It probably lives in several protected areas, which helps keep its population safe. Unlike many frogs, Cornufer schmidti does not have a tadpole stage. Instead, the eggs hatch directly into tiny frogs!