Craugastor vulcani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Craugastor vulcani |
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Eleutherodactylus vulcani Shannon and Werler, 1955 |
The Volcan San Martin rainfrog (scientific name: Craugastor vulcani) is a type of frog. It belongs to the Craugastoridae family. This special frog lives only in one place. That place is the Sierra de los Tuxtlas mountains in southern Veracruz state, Mexico. Its name, vulcani, comes from the San Martin Tuxtla volcano. This is where it was first found.
What Does It Look Like?
These frogs come in different sizes. Adult male frogs are about 40–47 mm (1.6–1.9 in) long. This measurement is from their snout (nose) to their vent (bottom). Female frogs are larger, measuring about 60–75 mm (2.4–3.0 in) long.
Their ears, called the tympanum, are easy to see. Their fingers and toes have special pads called discs. These discs help them grip surfaces. Their fingers also have small ridges on the sides. Their toes have wider edges and are slightly webbed.
The skin on their eyelids has many small, round bumps. The skin on their back (called the dorsum) is rough. It has groups of bumps and short folds. You might also see clear ridges on their head and shoulders.
Their color can change a lot. They can be olive brown, reddish brown, or dark gray. Some are a solid color. Others have a yellow or orange stripe down their back. Some frogs have dark brown spots. Their sides are usually lighter. They might be pale yellow-brown or tan with some brown. Their belly (called the venter) is cream or light tan. Male frogs have dark spots on their chest and belly. Female frogs have clear, spotless bellies. Their eyes have a bronze-colored iris.
Where It Lives and How We Protect It
The Volcan San Martin rainfrog lives in wet forests. These forests are found on mountainsides. They live at heights up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft) above sea level. You can often find them living near streams.
Unlike many frogs, these frogs do not have a tadpole stage. Their babies develop directly into small frogs. This means there is no free-swimming larval stage.
Sadly, this frog is an endangered species. This means it is at risk of disappearing forever. Its home is getting smaller because of deforestation. This is when forests are cut down. The area where these frogs live is already very small.
This frog lives inside the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve. This is a protected area. However, even in this reserve, many trees are still being cut down. Protecting their forest home is very important to help these frogs survive.
