Craugastor aphanus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Craugastor aphanus |
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Eleutherodactylus aphanus Campbell, 1994 |
The Craugastor aphanus is a type of frog that belongs to the Craugastoridae family. It is a special kind of animal because it is endemic, meaning it is found only in a specific area. This frog lives in the Sierra del Mico and Sierra de las Minas mountain ranges. These mountains are located in the eastern part of Guatemala, in a place called the Izabal Department.
What Does This Frog Look Like?
Adult male Craugastor aphanus frogs are quite small. They measure about 18 to 22 millimeters (which is less than an inch) from their snout to their rear end. Female frogs are much larger, measuring about 35 to 44 millimeters. This big difference in size between males and females is called sexual dimorphism.
Besides size, males and females also look different in other ways:
- Males have a rounder tympanum, which is like their eardrum. Females have a more stretched-out tympanum.
- The color of their back (called the dorsum) is different. Adult females usually have a medium or dark brown back. Young frogs and males often have lighter backs. Their backs can be yellow, orange, reddish-brown, or sometimes dark olive brown.
- Their belly (called the venter) is also different. Males have a yellowish belly, while females have a purplish one.
The skin on the frog's back is smooth. However, it has noticeable folds behind its eyes. These folds stretch from the back edge of their upper eyelids to above their shoulder blades (scapulae). This frog does not have webbed fingers or toes. But, its fingers and toes do have small, flat discs on them.
Where Does This Frog Live and How Is It Protected?
The Craugastor aphanus frog lives in cloud forests. These are special forests found at low altitudes, between 591 and 786 meters (about 1,900 to 2,600 feet) above sea level. Cloud forests are often covered in mist or clouds, which keeps them very wet.
A large part of this frog's home is in a protected area. This means it's a special place where nature is kept safe. However, even in this protected area, some small-scale wood cutting is happening. This can harm the frog's habitat. Scientists only know of this frog living in two specific places. Because of this, and the threats to its home, the Craugastor aphanus is considered an endangered species. This means it is at a high risk of becoming extinct in the wild.
See also
In Spanish: Craugastor aphanus para niños
