Gastrotheca ovifera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gastrotheca ovifera |
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| Gastrotheca ovifera in Ernst Haeckel's Kunstformen der Natur | |
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The Gastrotheca ovifera, also known as the pouched frog or giant marsupial frog, is a special kind of frog. In Spanish, it's called rana marsupial comun. This frog belongs to the Hemiphractidae family. It lives only in northern Venezuela. You can find it in the Venezuelan Coastal Range, including a place called Sierra de Aroa.
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About the Pouched Frog
The pouched frog is a unique amphibian. It gets its name from how the female carries her eggs. Unlike many frogs, the Gastrotheca ovifera doesn't lay its eggs in water. Instead, the mother carries them in a special pouch on her back. This helps protect the eggs as they grow.
Where the Pouched Frog Lives
This frog makes its home in cloud forests. These forests are usually found high up in mountains. The Gastrotheca ovifera lives at elevations from about 800 to 1,800 meters (2,600 to 5,900 feet) above sea level. It often hides inside bromeliad plants. Bromeliads are plants that grow on trees and collect water in their leaves. The frog uses these plants as a safe place, especially when the weather is dry.
How the Pouched Frog Reproduces
The way the pouched frog reproduces is very interesting. The female carries her eggs on her back. These eggs develop directly into tiny froglets. This means there is no tadpole stage that lives freely in the water. The baby frogs hatch directly from the eggs as miniature versions of the adults. This special way of developing helps them survive in their forest home.
Why the Pouched Frog Is in Danger
Even though the pouched frog can be found in many places, its numbers are going down. This is a big worry for scientists. One main reason is habitat loss. This means the places where the frogs live are being destroyed.
Threats to Their Home
People are changing the forests for different reasons.
- Agriculture: Forests are cleared to make space for farms.
- Logging: Trees are cut down for wood.
- Infrastructure: New roads and buildings are built.
These activities take away the frogs' homes. Sadly, the pouched frog has also declined in protected areas. For example, in the Henri Pittier National Park, their numbers have dropped. Scientists are still trying to understand why this is happening in places that are supposed to be safe. Protecting their forest homes is very important for the future of the pouched frog.
