Craugastor anciano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Craugastor anciano |
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Eleutherodactylus anciano Savage, McCranie, and Wilson, 1988 |
The Craugastor anciano was a special type of frog. It belonged to the Craugastoridae family. This frog lived only in one specific place: the Cordillera de Celaque mountains in Honduras. When an animal or plant lives only in one area, we say it is endemic to that place.
This frog's favorite home was in wet forests. These were found in the lower parts of mountains. It liked to live on the ground, especially near streams. The Craugastor anciano was very rare. Sadly, it is now thought to be extinct.
Contents
Why Did the Craugastor Anciano Disappear?
A Mystery of Extinction
Scientists believe a few things might have caused the Craugastor anciano's disappearance. One big reason could be a disease called Chytridiomycosis. This is a serious fungal infection that affects amphibians like frogs. It can make it hard for them to breathe and move.
Losing Their Home
Another problem was habitat loss. This means the places where the frogs lived were destroyed or changed. Forests might have been cut down. Or their streams could have become polluted. When animals lose their homes, it's very hard for them to survive.
Where Did This Frog Live?
The Mountains of Honduras
The Craugastor anciano was found only in the Cordillera de Celaque. This is a mountain range in Honduras, a country in Central America. These mountains have a special type of forest. It is called a premontane or lower montane forest. These forests are usually very moist and green.
Life on the Forest Floor
These frogs preferred to live on the ground. They liked areas near streams. This gave them the damp environment they needed. It also provided places to find food and stay safe.
When Was It Discovered?
First Seen in 1988
The Craugastor anciano was first described by scientists in 1988. This means it was officially named and studied that year. The scientists who identified it were Savage, McCranie, and Wilson.
See also
- Craugastor anciano para niños (in Spanish)
