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Hispaniolan yellow-mottled frog facts for kids

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Hispaniolan yellow-mottled frog
Hispaniolan yellow-mottled frog imported from iNaturalist photo 53535 on 21 April 2022.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification

The Hispaniolan yellow-mottled frog or painted robber frog (Eleutherodactylus pictissimus) is a type of frog that lives only on the island of Hispaniola. You can find it in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. This unique frog belongs to the Eleutherodactylidae family. It is known for laying its eggs on the ground, which is different from many other frogs that lay eggs in water.

About the Hispaniolan Yellow-Mottled Frog

The Hispaniolan yellow-mottled frog gets its name from its home, the island of Hispaniola. It is also called the "painted robber frog" because of its colorful, mottled skin. This frog is an endemic species, meaning it is found naturally only in this specific part of the world.

Where This Frog Lives

This frog makes its home in different kinds of forests. It prefers dry scrub forests, which are areas with small trees and bushes. It also lives in moist broadleaf forests, which have many trees with wide leaves. Sometimes, you can find it in secondary forests. These are forests that have grown back after being cut down or disturbed.

Life Cycle and Habits

The Hispaniolan yellow-mottled frog is a terrestrial frog. This means it spends most of its life on land. Unlike many frogs that need water to lay their eggs, this species lays its eggs directly on the ground. This is a special adaptation that helps them survive in their forest habitats. After the eggs hatch, tiny froglets emerge, skipping the tadpole stage.

What Threatens This Frog

Sadly, the Hispaniolan yellow-mottled frog is facing challenges. Its biggest threat is habitat loss. This happens when the forests where it lives are destroyed or changed by human activities. When their homes disappear, it becomes harder for these frogs to find food, shelter, and places to lay their eggs. Protecting their forest habitats is very important to help these unique frogs survive.

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