Hidden-ear frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hidden-ear frog |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ranoidea (genus)
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| Species: |
cryptotis
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| Where the hidden ear frog lives. | |
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The hidden-ear frog or earless water-holding frog (Ranoidea cryptotis) is a special type of frog found in Australia. It gets its name because it doesn't have visible ears. This frog mostly lives in the Kimberly region of Western Australia, especially in the Ord and Fitzroy Valleys. You can also find smaller groups of them in parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory.
What It Looks Like
The hidden-ear frog has a unique appearance. Adult male frogs usually grow to be about 3.4 to 4.6 centimeters (about 1.3 to 1.8 inches) long. Female frogs are a little bit bigger, measuring around 3.6 to 4.8 centimeters (about 1.4 to 1.9 inches).
This frog has a round body and a small head. Its front feet do not have any webbing, which is different from many other frogs. Hidden-ear frogs can be gray or brown. Some adult frogs have a cool mottled pattern, which means they have patches of different colors. They also have five stripes that run across their body from the sides. These stripes can sometimes be a bright orange color, making them stand out!
Life Cycle and Reproduction
The hidden-ear frog is very clever about when it lays its eggs. It waits for wet weather to arrive, which is important for its babies to grow. When the time is right, the female frog lays her eggs in pools of water.
These pools can be quite warm, sometimes as hot as 40°C (104°F)! The water might also be white and full of clay. The tadpoles, which are baby frogs, can grow to be about 4.6 centimeters (1.8 inches) long. They have five rows of tiny teeth: two rows on the top and three on the bottom. It takes about one month for these tadpoles to change and become full-grown frogs.
See also
In Spanish: Ranoidea cryptotis para niños
