Suweon treefrog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Suweon treefrog |
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The Suweon treefrog (scientific name: Dryophytes suweonensis) is a small frog that belongs to the Hylidae family. This special frog lives only on the Korean Peninsula. It is found mainly from the Imjin River in the north down to the Mangyeong River near Iksan in the south.
Sadly, there are not many Suweon treefrogs left. Experts believe there are fewer than 800 of them. Because of this, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the Suweon treefrog as an Endangered animal. A big reason for their decline is habitat loss, as their natural homes, often rice fields, are changing.
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About the Suweon Treefrog
The Suweon treefrog is one of only two types of treefrogs found on the Korean Peninsula. The other is the Japanese tree frog. These two frogs look very similar, but scientists can tell them apart by a few key things.
How to Tell Them Apart
Even though they look alike, the Suweon treefrog and the Japanese tree frog have differences. Scientists look at:
- The sound they make: Their calls have different frequencies.
- Their calling behavior: How and when they call.
- The webbing between their toes: It's slightly different.
- The angle of the line between their eyes and nostrils.
The first place where the Suweon treefrog was officially identified was in a rice paddy near the Office of Rural Development in Suwon, Korea.
Where They Live and Breed
Suweon treefrogs live a life very similar to the Japanese tree frog. They both like to breed in rice paddies. Interestingly, the Suweon treefrog is not known to breed in any natural places like ponds or streams. They prefer the special environment of rice fields.
Facing Challenges
The number of Suweon treefrogs has dropped a lot. Other frogs like Dryophytes immaculatus and Dryophytes flaviventris have also seen their numbers go down.
Conservation Status
In Korea, the Suweon treefrog is listed as an "Endangered category I species." This means it is one of the most threatened animals in the country. This is because it lives in a very small area and has a tiny population.
Another problem for these frogs is a disease called Chytrid Fungus. Many Suweon treefrogs have been found to carry this fungus, which can be very harmful to amphibians.
An Unusual Situation
Even though the Suweon treefrog is endangered in its home country, it has also been listed as an invasive species in the United States. This means that if it were somehow introduced to the U.S., it could cause problems for local wildlife.
See also
- List of amphibians of Korea
