Dendropsophus microcephalus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dendropsophus microcephalus |
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Hyla microcephala Cope, 1886 |
Dendropsophus microcephalus is a small, bright yellow frog. It belongs to the Hylidae family, also known as treefrogs. You might hear it called the yellow treefrog or small-headed treefrog. These frogs live in many places, from southern Mexico through Central America to northern South America. They can be found in countries like Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil. Scientists think this widespread species might actually be a group of very similar frogs.
What Does the Yellow Treefrog Look Like?
Male yellow treefrogs grow to about 25 mm (0.98 in) long. Females are a bit bigger, reaching about 31 mm (1.2 in) in length. Their skin is smooth and can be pale to bright yellow. They often have two light brown lines running down their back. The top parts of their legs might have dark marks. Their belly is usually pale cream or white. Their eyes have a bronze color.
Sometimes, people confuse the yellow treefrog with another frog called D. ebraccatus, the hourglass treefrog. You can tell D. microcephalus apart because it does not have an hourglass shape on its back. It also does not have a pale stripe on its lip.
Where Do Yellow Treefrogs Live?
Dendropsophus microcephalus lives in savanna areas and at the edges of forests. They often live near wetlands, which are places with lots of water. You can also find them in areas where humans have changed the land. This includes places like secondary forests, which are forests that have grown back. They also live in grasslands or forests that have been cut down.
These frogs can be found in marshy areas next to forests. They are active at night, which means they are nocturnal. They lay their eggs in temporary or permanent pools of water. These frogs live from sea level up to about 1,300 m (4,300 ft) high. In some parts of Colombia, they can even be found at 1,800 m (5,900 ft) above sea level.
Are Yellow Treefrogs Endangered?
No, the yellow treefrog is a very common species. There are many of them across all the places they live. There are no big threats to these frogs right now. They also live in many protected areas, which helps keep them safe.
