Gastrotheca argenteovirens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gastrotheca argenteovirens |
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The Gastrotheca argenteovirens is a special type of frog that belongs to the Hemiphractidae family. It's also known as the Popayan marsupial frog. This frog is found only in Colombia, which means it is endemic to that country. You can find it in different mountain ranges there, like the Colombian Massif, Central Mountains, and Western Mountains. It lives in areas across several departments, including Quindío, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Cauca, and Nariño Department.
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What Does This Frog Look Like?
Adult male Gastrotheca argenteovirens frogs are about 4.2 to 5.6 centimeters (1.7 to 2.2 inches) long from their snout (nose) to their vent (tail end). Female frogs are a bit larger, measuring about 4.2 to 6.5 centimeters (1.7 to 2.6 inches) long.
- Head: The frog's head is a little wider than it is long. Its snout is rounded when you look at it from above.
- Ears: It has a brown tympanum, which is like its eardrum.
- Fingers and Toes: The pads on its fingers are much wider than the fingers themselves. Its toes are about half-webbed, which helps it move around.
- Colors: The frog's back (called the dorsum) can be tan or green. Sometimes it has dark brown stripes or small dark spots. Its sides can be brown or green, and near its legs, they turn blue with black spots. The belly (called the ventrum) is usually creamy gray and often has black spots.
Where Does This Frog Live?
The Gastrotheca argenteovirens frog lives in the Andes Mountains. It can be found in forests and high-altitude grasslands called sub-paramos. These areas are between 1,650 and 3,300 meters (about 5,413 to 10,827 feet) above sea level.
This frog is quite adaptable! It lives inside forests, near streams, and even in open areas like pastures or places where humans have changed the land.
Life Cycle and Conservation
One of the most interesting things about this frog is how the mother cares for her babies. The female frog carries her eggs on her back! Once the eggs hatch into tadpoles, she carries them to small pools of water. The tadpoles then finish growing there.
The Gastrotheca argenteovirens is a very common type of frog. It can adjust well to different environments. Because of this, it is not currently facing any big threats to its survival.
See also
In Spanish: Gastrotheca argenteovirens para niños
