Eleutherodactylus emiliae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eleutherodactylus emiliae |
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Euhyas emiliae (Dunn, 1926) |
Eleutherodactylus emiliae is a type of frog that lives in central Cuba. It is also known as Emilia's robber frog. This frog is found only in the Escambray and Banao Mountains. Being "endemic" means it lives naturally only in this specific area. Scientists named it after someone called "Emilia," but we don't know who that person was.
What Does Emilia's Robber Frog Look Like?
The largest Eleutherodactylus emiliae ever found was a female. She was about 27 millimeters (about 1 inch) long from her snout to her rear end. This frog has a strong and compact body. Its head is wider than it is long. The snout, which is the front part of its head, is short.
You can see its tympanum, which is like its eardrum. The tips of its toes have small, flat pads called digital discs. The skin on its back is smooth or a little bumpy. Its belly skin is smooth. The frog's back can be gray, cream, dark brown, or yellowish-brown. Often, there is a thin, light line down its back. The sides of its head are dark, like a mask. The inside of its thighs can be red.
Where Does Emilia's Robber Frog Live and How Is It Protected?
Eleutherodactylus emiliae lives in humid forests. These forests have a thick tree canopy, meaning the tree branches and leaves form a dense roof. It lives at elevations between 350 and 850 meters (about 1,150 to 2,800 feet) above sea level.
This frog is a terrestrial species, which means it lives on the ground. You can find it hiding under rocks, fallen tree trunks, and among the roots of tree ferns. Unlike many frogs, its eggs are laid directly on the ground. The baby frogs hatch looking like tiny versions of the adults. They do not go through a tadpole stage in water. This is called "direct development."
Emilia's robber frog is not very common. Its home is threatened by habitat loss. This happens when forests are cut down for farming or when tourists disturb the area. Some of these frogs live in protected areas. However, these areas might not be doing enough to keep them safe.
