Cycloramphus faustoi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cycloramphus faustoi |
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Cycloramphus faustoi is a special kind of frog. It belongs to the Cycloramphidae family. This frog lives only on Ilha dos Alcatrazes. This is a small island in Brazil. The island is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the coast of São Paulo state.
What Does the Alcatrazes Frog Look Like?
This frog, Cycloramphus faustoi, is quite sturdy. Adult male frogs are about 31 to 38 millimeters (1.2 to 1.5 inches) long. Females are a bit bigger. They measure about 42 to 44 millimeters (1.7 to 1.7 inches) long. Their heads are wider than they are long. They have a flat snout and eyes that stick out.
The frog's skin on its back is dark brown. It has a few yellowish or white spots. There is a thin, light yellow line between its eyes. Its legs have some white or light yellow stripes. The throat is white with a few brown spots. The belly is mostly white. Some frogs might have a few brown spots there too. This frog does not have webbed fingers or toes.
Where Does This Frog Live and How Does It Reproduce?
Cycloramphus faustoi lives in a small valley. This valley has a dry stream bed. It is found at elevations from 20 to 100 meters (66 to 328 feet) above sea level. The stream is surrounded by Atlantic forest. During the rainy season, water slowly flows through this valley.
These frogs are shy. Both males and females hide in rock cracks. If they are disturbed, they quickly go into hiding.
Frogs seem to reproduce in August. After a rainy afternoon, male frogs were heard calling at night. A female frog was found guarding her eggs. She had a clutch of 31 eggs. The female stayed with her eggs even when disturbed. This shows how much she protects her young.
Why Is This Frog Important to Protect?
This frog species seems to be rare. It lives in a very small area. The known habitat is about 0.6 square kilometers (0.23 square miles). The entire island itself is not much bigger. It is about 1.8 square kilometers (0.69 square miles). During one night, scientists could only find up to 11 frogs. This is fewer than similar frogs found on the mainland.
In the past, the frog's home was in danger. Fires from artillery training activities threatened it. This training has now stopped. However, new threats exist. Climate change could harm its habitat. Changes in rainfall patterns are a big concern. Also, people collecting these frogs illegally for pets is a possible threat. Protecting this unique frog is very important.
