Green burrowing frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green burrowing frog |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Microhylidae |
| Subfamily: | Scaphiophryninae |
| Genus: | Scaphiophryne |
| Species: |
S. marmorata
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| Binomial name | |
| Scaphiophryne marmorata Boulenger, 1882
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The Scaphiophryne marmorata, also known as the green burrowing frog or marbled rain frog, is a unique type of frog. It belongs to the Microhylidae family. This frog lives only in Madagascar, which means it is endemic to that island. Sadly, it is listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN because its home is disappearing.
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What's in a Name?
Scientists give every living thing a special name, like Scaphiophryne marmorata, so everyone knows exactly which animal they are talking about. In 2003, scientists looked closely at the Scaphiophryne marmorata group. They decided that Scaphiophryne spinosa was a different species, not just another name for the green burrowing frog. They also discovered a brand new species called Scaphiophryne boribory.
Meet the Green Burrowing Frog
This frog has a very interesting look! Female green burrowing frogs can grow to about 40 millimeters (about 1.6 inches) long. Males are a bit smaller, reaching about 30 millimeters (about 1.2 inches). They are almost round, like a little ball, with a small, flat head. Their eyes stick out, and their legs are strong and muscular.
The frog's back skin is mostly smooth. However, it has two pairs of thorny bumps on its upper back. Its fingers and toes are long, which helps it climb trees and bushes. A special feature of this frog is the expanded discs at the end of its fingers. Its back legs are short and have bony parts on the heels, which are perfect for digging. The frog is usually a bright green with darker green and black spots. In some areas, it might look more olive green. Its belly often has a marbled white pattern.
Where It Lives
The green burrowing frog calls rainforests home. You can find it in the eastern parts of Madagascar and also in the drier western areas of the island. It lives in places up to 1,000 meters (about 3,280 feet) above sea level.
Life Cycle and Habits
The green burrowing frog spends most of its time hidden. It likes to bury itself in dead leaves on the forest floor. When it comes out, it often climbs into the branches of small trees and bushes. Up there, it hunts for insects to eat.
We don't know a lot about how these frogs breed. However, scientists think they are "explosive" breeders. This means that when the rainy season begins, all the frogs in an area come together at once. They mate and lay their eggs in temporary pools of water. The tadpoles likely grow very fast. This quick growth helps them become independent before the temporary pools dry up.
Protecting the Green Burrowing Frog
The green burrowing frog is listed as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This means it's at risk of disappearing. Even though you can find many of these frogs in some places, their habitat in Madagascar is small and broken up. Their homes are being lost, and the number of frogs seems to be going down.
A small number of these frogs are sometimes caught for the pet trade. But scientists are looking into ways to breed them in zoos or special centers. This would help reduce the pressure on wild populations. Luckily, this frog lives safely in several national parks in Madagascar, which helps protect its future.
 | Misty Copeland |
 | Raven Wilkinson |
 | Debra Austin |
 | Aesha Ash |
