Eleutherodactylus eileenae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eleutherodactylus eileenae |
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Eleutherodactylus gehrmanni Schwartz, 1958 |
The Eleutherodactylus eileenae is a type of frog that belongs to the Eleutherodactylidae family. This frog lives only in Cuba, which means it is endemic to the island. You can find it widely across the western and central parts of Cuba.
People often call this frog "Eileen's robber frog" or the "Cuban free-fingered frog." It was named after someone called "Eileen," but no one knows who that person was.
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What Does the Eileen's Robber Frog Look Like?
Eleutherodactylus eileenae frogs can grow up to 33 mm (about 1.3 inches) long. This measurement is taken from their snout (nose) to their vent (the opening at the end of their body).
Body Features
The frog's head is wider than its body. Its fingers and toes have special sticky pads called discs on the tips. These help them grip surfaces.
The frog's back, also known as its dorsum, has small bumps called granules and tubercles. It usually has two larger bumps above its shoulder blades, called suprascapular tubercles. Even its eyelids have small bumps! The belly, or ventrum, is also bumpy.
Color and Patterns
The color of these frogs can change. They might be light brown, reddish brown, yellowish, or dark brown. They can have different patterns on their backs:
- A "W" shape above their shoulders.
- Two curved lines that look like inverted parentheses, ")(".
- A large reddish area on the front half of their body.
- Sides that are darker than their back.
- A white or yellow stripe running down the middle of their back.
Most of these frogs have a dark bar between their eyes. A fold of skin above their eardrum, called the supratympanic fold, is often outlined in black. Their belly is usually white, but sometimes their throat is slightly brown with a clear line down the middle. Male frogs have a vocal sac, which they use to make calls.
Where Do Eileen's Robber Frogs Live?
Eleutherodactylus eileenae frogs live in different kinds of forests that have a closed canopy (meaning the tree branches form a roof). They prefer places that are moist, called mesic habitats, and live at elevations below 830 meters (about 2,723 feet).
Daily Habits
During the day, these frogs hide in leaf litter, cracks, or holes. They become active at night. They mostly live on the ground, so they are terrestrial animals. However, male frogs will climb onto rocks or plants to call out, usually about 1 to 2 meters (3 to 7 feet) above the ground. Sometimes they climb even higher!
Reproduction and Eggs
Male frogs guarding their eggs might call from the ground. The eggs of these frogs have "direct development." This means that instead of hatching into tadpoles that live in water, the eggs hatch directly into tiny froglets. There is no free-living larval stage.
Conservation Status
The Eleutherodactylus eileenae is a common and widespread species in Cuba. However, there are some things that threaten them:
- Agricultural development: Farms expanding can destroy their habitat.
- Pollution: Chemicals and waste can harm them.
- Infrastructure development: Building new homes and tourist resorts can also take away their living spaces.
Even with these threats, this frog species is found in several protected areas in Cuba, which helps keep them safe.
See also
In Spanish: Eleutherodactylus eileenae para niños
