Hole-in-the-head frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hole-in-the-head frog |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Huia (frog)
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| Species: |
cavitympanum
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The hole-in-the-head frog (Huia cavitympanum) is a special kind of frog. It belongs to the Ranidae family, which is a large group of true frogs. This frog is the only species in its genus called Huia.
You can find this unique frog on the island of Borneo. It lives in warm, wet places like lowland forests and mountain forests. It also likes fast-flowing rivers and waterfalls. Sadly, its home is shrinking due to habitat loss. This means its natural living areas are being destroyed. The name Huia honors a Chinese scientist named Shuchin Hu who studied amphibians.
This frog is amazing because it's the only known frog that talks using ultrasonic sounds. These are sounds with a very high pitch, too high for humans to hear! The hole-in-the-head frog has special eardrums. They are set deep inside its head, almost like a mammal's ear. This helps the frog hear its own high-pitched calls. It probably developed this skill to talk over the loud noise of waterfalls where it lives.
Contents
What is the Hole-in-the-Head Frog?
The hole-in-the-head frog is a medium-sized frog. It has smooth skin and long legs, perfect for jumping. Its unique ears are a key feature. They help it survive in its noisy environment.
Where Does the Hole-in-the-Head Frog Live?
This frog lives only on the island of Borneo. Borneo is a large island in Southeast Asia. It is known for its dense rainforests and many unique animals. The frog prefers areas near fast-moving water. This includes mountain streams and waterfalls. These wet, noisy places are its natural home.
How Scientists Study the Hole-in-the-Head Frog
Scientists use special tools to study these frogs. They use equipment that can detect ultrasonic sounds. This helps them learn how the frogs communicate. Studying their ears also gives clues about how animals adapt to their surroundings.
For a long time, many different frogs were grouped under the Huia genus. But scientists keep learning new things. They use DNA and other clues to understand how animals are related. Recently, in 2021, scientists decided that H. cavitympanum is the only species that truly belongs in the Huia genus. This means it's a very special frog, standing alone in its group. Other frogs that used to be called Huia are now in different genera, like Wijayarana. This shows how science is always growing and changing!
See also
- Concave-eared torrent frog (Odorrana tormota)
- Javan torrent frog (Wijayarana masonii)
