Eleutherodactylus principalis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eleutherodactylus principalis |
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The Eleutherodactylus principalis is a type of frog that belongs to the Eleutherodactylidae family. It is a special frog because it is endemic to eastern Cuba. This means you can only find it living naturally in this part of the world!
This frog lives in the higher areas of the Holguín and Guantánamo Provinces in Cuba. Its favorite places to live are moist, dense forests that are high up, usually between 300 and 1000 meters (about 984 to 3,280 feet) above sea level.
Meet the Cuban Tree Frog!
This frog is an arboreal species, which means it loves to live in trees. It's quite good at climbing and spending its time high up in the forest canopy. While it's not super rare, it's considered moderately common in the right kind of forest.
Why Is This Frog in Danger?
Sadly, the Eleutherodactylus principalis is facing threats to its home. The biggest problem is habitat loss. This happens when the forests where these frogs live are destroyed or changed.
- Mining: People sometimes dig for minerals in these areas, which removes the trees and changes the land.
- Agriculture: Forests are also cleared to make space for farms and growing crops.
Even though some of these frogs live in the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, which is a protected area, habitat loss is still happening there too. This makes it harder for the frogs to find safe places to live and thrive. Scientists and conservationists are working to protect these unique Cuban frogs and their forest homes.
