Cycloramphus dubius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cycloramphus dubius |
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Meet the São Paulo button frog! Its scientific name is Cycloramphus dubius. This special frog lives only in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It's part of the Cycloramphidae frog family.
What Does the São Paulo Button Frog Look Like?
These frogs are not very big. Male frogs can grow up to about 54 millimeters (2.1 inches) long. Females are a bit larger, reaching about 60 millimeters (2.4 inches). Their bodies are quite flat. This helps them hide in small spaces.
Their snout, or nose area, is rounded. Sometimes it has a slightly flared shape. Their toes have some webbing between them. This helps them move around. The skin on their back feels bumpy or rough. It might look like tiny grains. Their back color is usually plain. It can be one solid color. Sometimes it has a few spots. But they don't have bright or fancy colors.
How Do São Paulo Button Frogs Reproduce?
These frogs breed all year long. They like to lay their eggs near small waterfalls. Male frogs call out at night. They do this from rocky cracks near the waterfalls. This helps them find a mate.
A female frog usually lays about 60 eggs. Sometimes it's as few as 30, or as many as 80. The eggs are laid in a single layer. They are placed outside the water. But they need constant moisture. Water droplets or spray from the waterfall keep them wet. Male frogs are very protective. They guard the eggs. They can even defend them aggressively.
The eggs are small, about 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) wide. When they hatch, they are tadpoles. These tadpoles are quite long, about 60 millimeters (2.4 inches). What's cool is that these tadpoles don't live in the water! They stay outside. They feed on wet rocks.
Where Do These Frogs Live and How Are They Protected?
The São Paulo button frog lives in forests. They prefer healthy, old forests. They also live in good quality newer forests. You can find them near streams. They live at high places, from 800 to 1000 meters (2,600 to 3,300 feet) above sea level. Adult frogs are found on rocks and stones. The tadpoles live on rocks too. These rocks must be covered with a thin layer of running water. This can be in or next to streams.
The São Paulo button frog is quite common. But it still faces some dangers. Pollution from factories can harm the air and water. Tourist activities can also disturb their homes. Luckily, some of their living areas are protected. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) says they are of "least concern". This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
