Orange-bellied frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Orange-bellied Frog |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Geocrinia
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| Species: |
vitellina
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The orange-bellied frog (scientific name: Geocrinia vitellina) is a small type of frog that belongs to the Myobatrachidae family. It lives only in a tiny area near Margaret River, Western Australia in Southwest Australia. This special frog is considered vulnerable, which means it's at risk of disappearing forever. Its biggest threats are fires and habitat damage caused by wild pigs.
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What Does the Orange-bellied Frog Look Like?
The orange-bellied frog is quite similar to another frog called the white-bellied frog (Geocrinia alba). It has dark brown spots on its back, which can be light brown or grey. These frogs are small, growing to about 17 to 24 millimeters long from their snout to their bottom. What makes them unique is their underside, which is a pale but bright orange color, especially towards the front. This frog is part of a group of similar frogs known as the Geocrinia rosea frog complex.
Where Do Orange-bellied Frogs Live?
This frog species lives in a very small area, only about 20 hectares in size. This is the smallest known habitat for any Australian animal with a backbone that lives on land. Their home is spread across about 6.3 square kilometers near Witchcliffe, Western Australia. They prefer swampy areas that are close to creeklines. So far, scientists have found suitable homes for them along six creeks that flow into the Blackwood River in Western Australia.
How Orange-bellied Frogs Live and Reproduce
The groups of orange-bellied frogs are often separated from each other. This is because of how they breed and how little they move around. This small movement range is unusual for most frog species.
During spring and early summer, the male frogs make a call. It's a series of 9 to 15 short sounds that are hard to hear. The female frogs lay their eggs in small dips in the ground. These eggs are surrounded by a jelly-like substance. The tadpoles develop into adult frogs without needing to eat or swim.
Why Is the Orange-bellied Frog in Danger?
Because the orange-bellied frog lives in such a small area, it is very vulnerable to many dangers. Here are the main threats:
- Fires: Bushfires can destroy their limited habitat very quickly.
- Wild Pigs: Feral pigs can damage the swampy areas where the frogs live.
- Water Pollution: Chemicals from farms can run into the creeks, polluting the water.
- Habitat Changes: How land is used nearby can change the water flow in the creeks. This affects the wet areas the frogs need to survive.
