Gastrotheca ossilaginis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gastrotheca ossilaginis |
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The Gastrotheca ossilaginis is a special type of frog that belongs to the Hemiphractidae family. This family of frogs is known for how they care for their eggs and young.
This frog is found only in one place: Peru. When an animal or plant is found only in one specific area and nowhere else in the world, we say it is endemic to that place.
The Gastrotheca ossilaginis frog lives in certain natural places. These include moist montane forests, which are forests found on mountains where it often rains. It also lives in pastureland, which are areas of grass where animals like cows might graze.
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About the Gastrotheca ossilaginis Frog
This unique frog was first officially described in 2005 by two scientists, Duellman and Venegas. They gave it its scientific name, Gastrotheca ossilaginis. Scientists use these special names so everyone around the world knows exactly which animal they are talking about.
Where Does It Live?
The Gastrotheca ossilaginis frog makes its home in the beautiful country of Peru, located in South America. It prefers to live in places that are wet and often misty.
These places include:
- Tropical Moist Montane Forests: Imagine forests high up on mountains where it's always warm and rainy. The trees are often covered in moss, and the air is very humid. These frogs love such damp environments.
- Pastureland: This frog can also be found in grassy fields that are used for grazing animals. Even though these areas are open, they still provide enough moisture and hiding spots for the frog to survive.
What Does It Look Like?
Like all frogs, the Gastrotheca ossilaginis has smooth, moist skin and strong legs for jumping. Frogs are amphibians, which means they can live both in water and on land, especially when they are young.
Its Life Cycle
Frogs go through an amazing life cycle called metamorphosis. It usually starts with eggs laid in water. These eggs hatch into tadpoles, which are like tiny fish with tails. Tadpoles live in water and breathe with gills. As they grow, they slowly change, developing legs and losing their tails. Eventually, they become adult frogs that can live on land, though they still need moist environments.
The Gastrotheca ossilaginis belongs to the Hemiphractidae family. Many frogs in this family are known as "marsupial frogs" or "pouch frogs." This is because the female frogs often carry their eggs in a special pouch on their back until they hatch, sometimes even into tiny froglets instead of tadpoles. This is a unique way they protect their young!
See also
In Spanish: Gastrotheca ossilaginis para niños
