Dendropsophus berthalutzae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dendropsophus berthalutzae |
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Hyla berthalutzae Bokermann, 1962 |
Bertha's treefrog (scientific name: Dendropsophus berthalutzae) is a small frog that belongs to the Hylidae family, also known as tree frogs. This special frog lives only in southeastern Brazil. You can find it in the low areas near the coast and in the Serra do Mar mountains. It lives in states like Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and eastern Paraná.
This frog is named after Bertha Lutz. She was a famous Brazilian zoologist (someone who studies animals) and a feminist.
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What Does Bertha's Treefrog Look Like?
Bertha's treefrogs are quite small. Adult males are about 0.7 to 0.8 inches (18 to 21 millimeters) long. Adult females are a bit bigger, around 0.9 inches (24 millimeters) long. Even though they are small, they look strong and sturdy.
Their head is wider than their body. The front of their head, called the snout, looks blunt when you look at it from above. Their eyes stick out, but their eardrum (called the tympanum) is tiny.
Their fingers have wide, large discs at the ends, which help them grip surfaces. They also have some skin between their fingers near the bottom. Their toes are about three-quarters webbed, meaning most of the space between their toes is filled with skin.
The color on their back can be very light, almost like straw, or a brownish-orange. They often have a special pattern on their back. This pattern includes a mark between their eyes and an X-shape on their back. Sometimes, tiny dark spots can cover their skin, making the pattern harder to see. Male frogs have a large vocal sac under their chin, which they use to make calls.
How Do They Call?
Male Bertha's treefrogs make a special sound to attract females. This sound is called an "advertisement call." Their call usually has one or two notes. Each note has between 2 and 12 short sounds, like pulses. The main sound frequency is quite high, between 4315 and 4765 Hertz. This call is unique and different from other frogs that are related to them.
Where Does Bertha's Treefrog Live?
Bertha's treefrog lives in the coastal lowlands and the Serra do Mar mountain range in Brazil. They can be found at elevations up to 3,900 feet (1,200 meters) above sea level.
These frogs like to live low in the plants and trees, especially in forests that are growing back after being cut down. They are often found near swamps or in open grassy areas.
How Do They Have Babies?
When it's time to lay eggs, the female frog hangs them on plants above still water. This water is usually temporary, like a puddle or a small pond that might dry up. When the eggs hatch, the tiny tadpoles fall into the water below. They then grow and develop there until they become young frogs.
Is Bertha's Treefrog Safe?
Bertha's treefrog is a very common species. This means there are many of them, and they are good at adapting to different places. However, some local groups of these frogs might be affected by human activities. For example, farming and tree plantations can sometimes impact their homes. Overall, they are considered a species of "Least Concern" by conservation groups, meaning they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
