Eleutherodactylus tetajulia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eleutherodactylus tetajulia |
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Euhyas tetajulia (Estrada and Hedges, 1996) |
The Eleutherodactylus tetajulia is a small type of frog that belongs to the family Eleutherodactylidae. This frog is found only in a specific area, meaning it is endemic to southeastern Cuba. You can find it in places like the Sierra de Cristal, Monte Iberia, Tetas de Julia, and Meseta del Toldo. These areas are located in the Holguín and Guantánamo Provinces. The frog's name, tetajulia, comes from Las Tetas de Julia. These are two tall peaks on Monte Iberia, close to where this frog was first discovered.
What Does the Tetas de Julia Frog Look Like?
Adult male Tetas de Julia frogs are quite small. They measure about 11.6 to 12.3 millimeters (about 0.45 to 0.48 inches) long from their snout to their rear. Females are a bit larger, measuring 13 to 14 millimeters (about 0.51 to 0.55 inches).
Their head is as wide as their body. The front of their face, called the snout, is somewhat pointed. They have a round eardrum, or tympanum, which is partly hidden by a fold of skin above it. Their fingers and toes have small, raised lines along the sides.
The skin on their back is slightly bumpy, while their belly is smooth. Their main color on top is a coppery brown. They have a dark brown marking on their back that looks like an hourglass. There is also a thin black line between their eyes. You might see a dark brown horseshoe shape near their lower back and black lines above their eardrums. Their belly is purple with white markings.
Male Tetas de Julia frogs make a special sound to attract mates. Their call is a series of 4 to 13 short, evenly spaced "chirps." On average, they chirp about 9 times in a row.
Where Do These Frogs Live and How Are They Protected?
The Eleutherodactylus tetajulia is a land-dwelling frog. It lives in dense, moist forests at elevations of 300 to 600 meters (about 980 to 1,970 feet) above sea level. Scientists often find these frogs at night. They are usually active on the fallen leaves on the forest floor.
One time, a male and female frog were found together in a hole. This hole was in the decayed center of a tree fern, about 10 centimeters (4 inches) above the ground. Six eggs were also found with them, likely laid by another female frog. These frogs have a special way of developing: their eggs hatch directly into tiny frogs, without a tadpole stage. This is called direct development.
Sadly, the Tetas de Julia frog is facing threats. Its home is being destroyed by deforestation, which is when forests are cut down. This happens because of farming and making charcoal. Mining is also a possible threat to their habitat.
Even though this frog lives in the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, the park is not always able to protect the frogs effectively.
See also
In Spanish: Eleutherodactylus tetajulia para niños
