Puerto Rican wetland frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Puerto Rican wetland frog |
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The Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi, also known as the Puerto Rican wetland frog or coquí llanero (which means "plains coqui" in Spanish), is a very special and rare type of coqui frog. It lives only in Puerto Rico. This frog was first found in 2005 by a scientist named Neftalí Rios. It was named after another important Puerto Rican scientist, Juan A. Rivero, who studied many animals, especially frogs and reptiles.
This tiny frog is the smallest type of coqui. It has light-brown skin and a stripe between its eyes. You can also recognize it by its unique, high-pitched, chip-like sound. It lives in a specific area of Puerto Rico, near the old Naval Base in Sábana Seca, which is part of Toa Baja.
Why is the Puerto Rican Wetland Frog Special?
The Puerto Rican wetland frog is considered an endangered species. This means there are very few of them left, and they are at risk of disappearing forever. Because of this, the Department of Natural Resources of Puerto Rico tried to protect the frog and its home.
For a short time, the protection for this frog was removed by a court decision in Puerto Rico. However, the frog is still listed as endangered under a very important law called the Endangered Species Act in the United States. This law helps protect animals and plants that are in danger of extinction.
See also
In Spanish: Coquí llanero para niños
