Eastern mountains tree frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eastern mountains tree frog |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ranoidea (genus)
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| Species: |
dorsivena
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| Synonyms | |
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The eastern mountains tree frog (Ranoidea dorsivena) is a type of frog that lives in New Guinea. Scientists have found this frog high up in the mountains, about 1,500 meters (or about 4,900 feet) above sea level. They have been seen in the higher parts of the Fly River and Sepik River areas, as well as in the Arfak Mountains.
This frog is part of a group called Ranoidea, which includes many different kinds of tree frogs. Tree frogs are known for their special toes that help them climb trees and other plants.
Contents
What is a Tree Frog?
Tree frogs are small to medium-sized frogs that spend most of their lives in trees or other tall plants. They have special sticky pads on their toes. These pads help them grip onto leaves, branches, and even smooth surfaces. This makes them excellent climbers!
Where Do They Live?
The eastern mountains tree frog lives in the wet, green forests of New Guinea. These forests are often called rainforests because they get a lot of rain. The high mountains provide a cool and moist home for these frogs. They like places with lots of plants where they can hide and find food.
What Do They Eat?
Like most frogs, the eastern mountains tree frog is a carnivore, which means it eats other animals. They mostly eat small insects. They wait quietly for an insect to come close, then quickly catch it with their long, sticky tongue.
Life Cycle of a Frog
All frogs, including the eastern mountains tree frog, go through an amazing life cycle called metamorphosis.
From Egg to Tadpole
It all starts when the female frog lays her eggs, usually in water. These eggs are often laid in small groups or strings. After a while, tiny tadpoles hatch from the eggs. Tadpoles live in the water and look more like fish than frogs. They have tails for swimming and gills for breathing underwater. They eat tiny plants and algae.
Growing into a Froglet
As tadpoles grow, they start to change. First, their back legs begin to grow, then their front legs appear. Their tails get shorter and shorter as they absorb the nutrients from the tail. Their gills also change into lungs, so they can breathe air. At this stage, they are called froglets.
Becoming an Adult Frog
Finally, the froglet's tail disappears completely, and it becomes an adult frog. The adult frog can now live on land, though it still needs to stay moist. It will return to the water to lay its own eggs, and the cycle begins again.
Why Are They Important?
Frogs play an important role in their ecosystem. They help control the insect population by eating many bugs. They are also a food source for other animals, like birds and snakes. Because they are sensitive to changes in their environment, scientists sometimes call them "bioindicators." This means that if frogs are healthy, it's a good sign that the environment around them is also healthy.
See also
- Litoria dorsivena para niños (Learn about this frog in Spanish!)
