Golden-eyed fringe-limbed tree frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golden-eyed fringe-limbed tree frog |
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The golden-eyed fringe-limbed tree frog (scientific name: Ecnomiohyla bailarina) is a type of frog that belongs to the Hylidae family, also known as the tree frog family. This special frog is found only in certain parts of Panama and Costa Rica. When scientists say a species is "endemic" to an area, it means it lives naturally only in that specific place and nowhere else in the world.
Scientists have found these frogs living in forests at different heights, from about 400 meters (around 1,300 feet) up to 1,400 meters (about 4,600 feet) above sea level. They make their home in the Talamanca Mountains in Costa Rica and in Santa Fé National Park in Panama. These frogs mostly live high up in the forest canopy, which is the top layer of trees where branches and leaves form a kind of roof.
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What is a Golden-Eyed Fringe-Limbed Tree Frog?
This frog gets its name from its unique look. It has bright, golden eyes that stand out. The "fringe-limbed" part of its name comes from the special skin flaps or fringes it has on its arms and legs. These fringes help the frog blend in with its surroundings, making it harder for predators to spot it. They also help the frog glide or parachute from tree to tree, which is a cool way to move around in the forest canopy!
Where Do These Frogs Live?
The golden-eyed fringe-limbed tree frog lives in the warm, wet rainforests of Central America. These forests are full of tall trees, lots of plants, and many different animals. The frog prefers the high parts of the trees, where it can find plenty of insects to eat and stay safe from dangers on the forest floor. The Talamanca Mountains are a large mountain range that stretches across parts of Costa Rica and Panama, providing the perfect habitat for these tree frogs. Santa Fé National Park in Panama is also a protected area where these frogs can thrive.
What Do They Eat?
Like most frogs, the golden-eyed fringe-limbed tree frog is a carnivore, meaning it eats other animals. Its diet mainly consists of small insects and other tiny creatures it can catch in the forest canopy. They are skilled hunters, using their long, sticky tongues to snatch up their prey.
How Do They Reproduce?
Frogs usually lay their eggs in or near water. Tree frogs, like the golden-eyed fringe-limbed tree frog, often have interesting ways of reproducing in the trees. Some lay eggs in small pools of water that collect in tree hollows or in the leaves of plants like bromeliads. The tadpoles then develop in these watery nurseries until they are ready to become tiny frogs. Scientists are still learning more about the specific breeding habits of this particular frog species.
Why Are They Important?
Every animal plays a role in its ecosystem. The golden-eyed fringe-limbed tree frog helps control insect populations in its habitat. It also serves as a food source for other animals, like birds and snakes. When a species is endemic to a small area, it means it's especially important to protect its home. If its habitat is destroyed, the species could disappear forever.
Conservation Status
The golden-eyed fringe-limbed tree frog is currently listed as "Near Threatened" (NT) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This means that while it's not critically endangered right now, its population might become threatened in the near future if conservation efforts are not continued. The main threats to this frog include the loss of its forest habitat due to deforestation and climate change. Protecting the rainforests where these frogs live is very important for their survival.
See also
- In Spanish: Ecnomiohyla bailarina para niños