Delalande's river frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Delalande's river frog |
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Amietia delalandii, also known as the Delalande's river frog, is a cool type of frog found in southern Africa. People also call it the Drakensberg frog or Sani Pass frog. It belongs to a group of frogs called river frogs, which are part of the Pyxicephalidae family. You can find this frog in countries like Lesotho, South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. It might even live in Zambia! This frog is like a close cousin to another frog called A. vertebralis.
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About the Delalande's River Frog
River frogs are known for their sleek bodies and pointy noses. They love to live near water. They have strong back legs, which help them jump quickly into the water if they feel scared. Once in the water, they can stay hidden underwater for a long time.
What Does It Look Like?
Male Delalande's river frogs can grow to about 58 millimeters (2.3 inches) long. Females are a bit bigger, reaching about 83 millimeters (3.3 inches). Their toes are partly webbed, which helps them swim.
Their color can change a lot! Their back, called the dorsum, can be dull brown or even a bright green. It often has a pale brown background with orange spots. Small dark brown blotches cover their skin. About half of these frogs have a clear, pale stripe down their back.
The frog's eardrum, called the tympanum, is more than half the size of its eye. It's usually dark with light spots. The skin under their chin, called the gular area, often has a marbled pattern. This pattern can spread to their chest. Otherwise, their belly is plain and light-colored.
How Do They Communicate?
Male frogs make special calls to attract mates. Their call is a short series of clicking sounds that change in pitch. After a pause, they make a brief croak. They might call by themselves or in groups.
Where Do Delalande's River Frogs Live?
You can find Amietia delalandii in the high mountains of southern and eastern Lesotho. They live at heights of over 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level. In Natal, South Africa, they live in the permanent mountain streams that start in the Drakensberg Escarpment. They are also found widely across South Africa, but not in the dry western parts. Because they breed in high-altitude streams, they can sometimes get sick from a special kind of fungus.
Their Home and Habits
These frogs are very adaptable. You can find them along big and small rivers, in grassy areas, at the edges of forests, and even in garden ponds. They live at elevations from 200 to 1,500 meters (650 to 4,900 feet) above sea level.
They lay their eggs one by one in water that moves slowly or is still. The baby frogs, called tadpoles, eat food from the bottom of the water.
Conservation Status
The Delalande's river frog is a common species and is found in many places. It is not currently facing major threats, though there might be small local issues. Good news! It lives in several protected areas, which helps keep it safe.
