Executioner tree frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Executioner tree frog |
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| An executioner clownfrog sitting on a large leaf in the Ecuador forest | |
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The executioner tree frog, also known as the executioner clown frog or hangman swamp frog, is a type of frog belonging to the Hylidae family. Its scientific name is Dendropsophus carnifex.
This small frog is found in Ecuador and might also live in Colombia. It prefers to live in places that are between 1,250 and 2,500 meters (about 4,100 to 8,200 feet) above sea level.
Where It Lives
The executioner tree frog lives in many different natural habitats. These include warm, wet forests and moist montane forests (forests found in mountains).
It also likes swamps, freshwater marshes, and even temporary freshwater marshes that dry up sometimes. You can also find it in plantations, country gardens, and areas where forests used to be but are now changed by humans.
This frog can also live near ponds, canals, and ditches. It's quite adaptable to different watery environments.
What It Looks Like
This frog is quite small, growing to less than 3.5 centimeters (about 1.4 inches) long from its snout to its rear end. Its body is strong and a bit longer than it is wide.
It has special, large climbing pads on its toes, which help it grip surfaces. Both its front and back feet have webbing, but the webbing is more noticeable on its back feet. Male frogs of this species do not have special breeding pads, which are sometimes seen on other male frogs during mating season.
The color of its back can be bronze-green or bronze-gray. It often has brown or brown-gray marks on its back. Its belly is usually yellow or yellowish-white.
Naming the Frog
The English and Latin names for this frog, Dendropsophus carnifex, have an interesting origin. The name refers to John D. Lynch, a scientist who collected many of the first samples of this frog.
The word "carnifex" in its scientific name means "executioner" or "hangman" in Latin. This part of the name is a nod to Mr. Lynch's last name.
See also
- In Spanish: Rana de charco para niños
