Geocrinia alba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-bellied Frog |
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The white-bellied frog, also known as Geocrinia alba, is a tiny frog that belongs to the Myobatrachidae family. This family includes many types of frogs found in Australia. The white-bellied frog lives in a small area near Margaret River in Western Australia. It prefers wet, swampy places next to creeks. Sadly, changes to its environment have made this frog a critically endangered animal in southwestern Australia. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
What the White-bellied Frog Looks Like
The white-bellied frog is quite small, usually about 1.7 to 2.4 centimeters long from its nose to its bottom. It looks a lot like another frog called the orange-bellied frog (Geocrinia vitellina). Both frogs have dark brown spots on their backs, which can be light brown or grey. However, the white-bellied frog gets its name because its belly is white. It is part of a group of similar frogs called the Geocrinia rosea frog complex.
Where the White-bellied Frog Lives
This special frog lives in a very small area in Southwest Australia, specifically around the towns of Witchcliffe and Karridale. Its home covers about 193 hectares, which is like 193 football fields. This small area is mostly made up of swampy spots right next to creeks. Scientists from the University of Western Australia have found 56 different places where these frogs live.
The white-bellied frog likes to live and lay its eggs in small, wet dips hidden under thick plants. Unlike many other frogs, these frogs do not travel far from their homes. If their habitat is disturbed, they usually do not move back into that area.
Why the White-bellied Frog is Endangered
The white-bellied frog is in great danger because its environment is changing. Many of the places where these frogs live are on private land. This means the land can be used for things like cattle grazing, which can damage the plants around the frog's home. Since the 1990s, more land has been used for growing grapes (viticulture) and planting eucalyptus trees.
These activities can harm the frogs in several ways:
- Fires and cattle can destroy the plants that protect the frogs' habitat.
- Building dams or clearing land for vineyards or new trees can change how water flows in the area. This is called altering the hydrology, and it can dry out the swampy places the frogs need to survive.
To help protect these frogs, scientists from the University of Western Australia and the Department of Environment and Conservation (CALM) have been doing research. Money has been given to help landowners put up fences to keep cattle away from the frog habitats. There are also plans to create a protected area that connects the Forest Grove and Blackwood River National Parks. This will help protect the important riparian areas, which are the wet lands along rivers and creeks that the white-bellied frog calls home.
