Ecuador leaf frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ecuador leaf frog |
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The Noblella lochites, also known as the Ecuador leaf frog, is a very small type of frog. It belongs to the Strabomantidae family. This frog lives in the Andes mountains. You can find it on the Amazonian slopes of Ecuador. It might also live in Peru.
What's in a Name?
The scientific name for this frog is Noblella lochites. The word lochites comes from an ancient Greek word. It means "a recluse" or someone who lives alone. This name was chosen because the first frog of this kind was found in a very remote area. That area is called the Cordillera del Cóndor.
What Does It Look Like?
These frogs are quite small. Male frogs are about 13 to 15 millimeters long. Female frogs are a bit bigger, about 13 to 19 millimeters long. This measurement is from their snout (nose) to their vent (tail end).
They often have a special "mask" on their face. This mask can be charcoal gray, dark brown, or black. You can clearly see their eardrum, which is called the tympanum.
Their back, or dorsum, has interesting patterns. These can include V-shaped marks near their shoulders and hips. They might also have two spots above their groin area. However, every frog is a bit different. Some frogs might even have almost no patterns at all.
The belly of adult frogs is usually a solid color. Young frogs, called juveniles, have a mottled or patchy belly. All over their body, you can see tiny, round white dots.
Where It Lives and How It's Protected
The Ecuador leaf frog lives in cloud forests. It also lives in very old forests and younger forests that are growing back. These frogs are active during the day. You might hear the males calling out sometimes. They usually live hidden in leaf litter. They also like sandy areas covered with moss and roots.
Noblella lochites is a frog that is rarely seen. This might be because it likes to stay hidden. It has very secretive habits. Interestingly, some areas where it lives are protected by old Land mines. These were left over from a past conflict called the Cenepa War. These old land mines make it hard for people to enter the area. This helps keep the frog's home safe and undisturbed.
