Blue Mountain frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue Mountain frog |
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Eleutherodactylus cundalli ssp. glaucoreius Schwartz and Fowler, 1973 |
The Blue Mountain frog, also known as the Portland Parish robber frog, is a special type of frog. Its scientific name is Eleutherodactylus glaucoreius. This frog lives only in Jamaica, which means it is endemic there. Its scientific name, glaucoreius, comes from Greek words meaning "pale blue" and "mountain." This name hints at where this frog lives: the Blue Mountains.
Contents
Meet the Blue Mountain Frog
This section describes what the Blue Mountain frog looks like.
Size and Shape
Male Blue Mountain frogs grow to about 28 mm (1.1 in) long. Females are a bit bigger, reaching about 32 mm (1.3 in). This measurement is taken from their snout to their rear end. Their head is usually as wide as it is long. The frog's snout is pointed but ends sharply.
Special Features
The frog has small but visible eardrums. Its toes have medium-sized pads, which help it grip surfaces. Unlike some frogs, it does not have webbing between its toes.
Colors and Patterns
The frog's back can be tan or gray. Some frogs might even have hints of red or orange. Their back patterns vary a lot. Many have dark brown spots or stripes that are tan or reddish-tan. You can almost always see a W-shaped mark on their shoulders. Often, another W-shape appears in the middle of their back. Many also have spots on their sides. The frog's belly is pale yellow. It often has brown or black marks. The throat usually has a lot of dark coloring.
Where Blue Mountain Frogs Live
This section explains where these frogs are found and their preferred homes.
Geographic Range
The Blue Mountain frog lives only in eastern Jamaica. You can find it from sea level up to 1,650 m (5,410 ft) high in the mountains. There is one report of it on the north coast. However, it's not known if a healthy group lives there.
Frog Homes and Habits
This frog lives on the ground. It often hides on or inside rocky areas. It prefers rainforests but can also live in forests that have regrown. Sometimes, you can even find them inside piles of coconut husks!
How They Reproduce
Blue Mountain frogs lay their eggs on the ground. They have a special way of breeding called direct development. This means their eggs hatch directly into tiny frogs. There is no tadpole stage that lives in water.
Protecting the Blue Mountain Frog
This section talks about why this frog needs our help.
Current Status
The Blue Mountain frog lives in a small area. However, it seems to be quite common in the places where it lives. It can even handle some changes to its home. This is true as long as the forest canopy stays closed.
Threats to Their Home
Despite being common in some spots, this frog is still in danger. Its forest home is being lost. This happens because of farming, new human settlements, and logging. These activities occur even in protected areas and national parks. Scientists believe the number of these frogs is going down.
