Karri frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Karri frog |
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Geocrinia rosea |
The Karri frog, also known as the roseate frog, is a special type of frog. It belongs to the family of frogs called Myobatrachidae. This frog is only found in the Southwest Australia region.
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How Scientists Name and Group Frogs
Scientists give living things names and group them based on how they are related. This is called taxonomy. The Karri frog was once known as Geocrinia rosea. But in 2022, scientists decided to place it in a new group, or genus, called Anstisia. Before that, it was even in the Crinia genus!
The Karri frog is easy to tell apart from other similar frogs in its area. It has a special rosy glow on its belly, which is why it's also called the "roseate" frog.
What the Karri Frog Looks Like
The Karri frog (Anstisia rosea) looks a lot like three other Anstisia species: A. alba, A. lutea, and A. vitellina.
This frog usually has small, hidden teeth called vomerine teeth. Its skin is mostly brown, sometimes with spots or patterns. What makes it special is its smooth skin, which can be a little bumpy on its back, but is a beautiful rosy pink underneath. This pink area might also have flecks or spots. Male Karri frogs have a dark or black throat. Both male and female frogs have small, darker markings on their bodies. When fully grown, the Karri frog is usually about 25 millimeters long, which is about the size of a large fingernail.
Where the Karri Frog Lives
The Karri frog lives only in the karri forests of the Warren bioregion. This area is in the very southwest tip of Australia. These forests get a lot of rain. The frogs love places with constant moisture, like near streams that flow into or by the Warren River.
Because these frogs don't move around much, they tend to stay in one small area. This is why they are only found in this specific part of Australia.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
When spring and summer arrive, Karri frogs begin to look for a mate. The male frogs, who don't travel far, will call out to attract a female. Their call sounds like four quick "tk" sounds.
The female frog lays her eggs in damp spots on the forest floor. She often chooses places among fallen logs and thick plants. The young frogs hatch from these jelly-like eggs as tiny, fully formed froglets. They don't swim in water like many other tadpoles. Instead, they live their whole early lives on the damp ground of their forest home.
