Gastrotheca ochoai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gastrotheca ochoai |
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The Chilca marsupial frog (Gastrotheca ochoai) is a special kind of frog that lives only in southern Peru. It's found in the valleys on the eastern side of the Andes mountains. This frog got its scientific name, ochoai, from Oscar Ochoa Mendieta, a biology professor who helped the scientists who first described this species.
What the Chilca Marsupial Frog Looks Like
Adult male Chilca marsupial frogs are about 26–33 mm (1.0–1.3 in) long from their snout to their rear end. Female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring about 31–39 mm (1.2–1.5 in).
- Snout: Their snout (nose area) looks pointy when you look from above, but round from the side.
- Eardrum: They have a round eardrum, called a tympanum. There's a small, bumpy fold of skin just above it.
- Digits: Their fingers don't have any webbing, but their toes have some webbing. The tips of their fingers and toes are wide and rounded.
- Skin: Their skin on their back has tiny bumps.
- Color: These frogs are usually a golden tan color with black or brown markings. These markings can sometimes form stripes down their back. What's cool is that they can change their color to brown and also change how strong their patterns look!
- Eyes: They have narrow, dark brown stripes near their eyes, both in front and behind. Their eyes have a bronze-colored iris.
- Belly: Their belly is a dull white color.
A very unique thing about these frogs is how their babies develop. The tadpoles grow and change inside a special pouch on their mother's back!
Where the Chilca Marsupial Frog Lives and How We Protect It
The Chilca marsupial frog is a tree-dwelling frog, which means it lives in trees. You can find it in cloud forests, which are forests high up in the mountains that are often covered in clouds or mist. They live at elevations of about 2,700–2,800 m (8,900–9,200 ft) above sea level.
The tadpoles of these frogs develop inside special plants called bromeliads. These plants often grow on trees and collect water, creating tiny pools for the tadpoles.
This frog is quite rare. It is considered an endangered species because its home is disappearing. People are cutting down trees (this is called deforestation) to get wood for building or for fuel. More and more human homes are also being built in their habitat.
Luckily, the Chilca marsupial frog can be found in the Manú National Park. This park is a protected area that helps keep their habitat safe.
See also
In Spanish: Gastrotheca ochoai para niños
