Eleutherodactylidae facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eleutherodactylidae
Eleutherodactylus danae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Lissamphibia
Order:	Anura
Suborder:	Neobatrachia
Superfamily:	Hyloidea
Family:	Eleutherodactylidae Lutz, 1954
Genera
See text.
Synonyms
Eleutherodactylinae

The Eleutherodactylidae are a large family of frogs. These frogs are sometimes called "rain frogs" or "direct-developing frogs" because of how they reproduce. Unlike many other frogs, their eggs usually hatch directly into tiny froglets, without a tadpole stage.

This family is quite big, with over 800 different kinds of frogs. They were once considered a smaller group, or subfamily, within another frog family called Leptodactylidae. However, scientists later decided they were different enough to be their own separate family.

What are Eleutherodactylidae Frogs?

These frogs are found mostly in the Americas, from the southern United States all the way down to South America and the Caribbean islands. They live in many different places, like forests, mountains, and even drier areas.

Most frogs in this family are small to medium-sized. They have a wide range of colors and patterns, helping them blend into their surroundings. Many of them are active at night, hunting for insects and other small creatures.

Many Kinds of Frogs

The Eleutherodactylidae family includes many different types of frogs. Scientists group these frogs into smaller categories called genera. Each genus contains frogs that are closely related and share similar features.

Some of the well-known groups within this family include:

• Eleutherodactylus: This is a very large group, with hundreds of species.
• Diasporus: These frogs are often found in Central and South America.
• Ischnocnema: This group includes frogs mostly found in Brazil.

Scientists continue to study these frogs to learn more about their lives, where they live, and how they are related to each other.

In Spanish: Eleuterodactílidos para niños