Hyalinobatrachium fragile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hyalinobatrachium fragile |
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Centrolenella fragilis Rivero, 1985 |
The Hyalinobatrachium fragile is a special type of frog that belongs to the Centrolenidae family. It is also known as the fragile glass frog in Spanish. This frog is found only in the Venezuelan Coastal Range. This means it is endemic to that area.
These frogs live in montane forests, which are forests found in mountains. They like to be near streams. Sadly, their homes are shrinking because of farming, cutting down trees, and landslides.
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Where the Fragile Glass Frog Lives
The fragile glass frog lives in both old and new forests. You can find them on the northern side and in the middle parts of the Cordillera de la Costa mountains in Venezuela. They also live in places like Sierra de Aroa and Macizo de Nirgua. These frogs live at different heights, from 100 to 1,400 meters above sea level.
These frogs spend most of their time in trees. They are active at night. They often live in forests that grow along permanent or seasonal streams in the mountains. What's cool is that they can adapt a bit if their habitat changes.
Protecting the Fragile Glass Frog
In 2018, good news came from Altos of Canoabo in Carabobo state. Many adult frogs, mating pairs, and egg clutches were seen during the rainy season. This showed they were reproducing!
However, the fragile glass frog still faces big dangers. Forests are being cut down and broken up. This happens because cities are growing and more land is used for farming. These activities also cause water pollution, which harms the frogs. Some parts of the Cordillera de La Costa, where these frogs live, are now listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered. This means they are at high risk of disappearing. We need urgent help to protect these unique amphibians.
About the Fragile Glass Frog
The fragile glass frog is a fascinating amphibian. It is known for its green color. These frogs live in trees and are active at night.
Male frogs have a special way of calling out. They call from the underside of leaves, usually about 1 to 3 meters above the water. When it's time to lay eggs, the female lays about 20 to 25 eggs on the underside of leaves. Once the tadpoles hatch, they drop into the water to finish growing. These frogs even show parental care, which means they look after their eggs. This is a special trait for frogs!
Dangers to the Fragile Glass Frog
The fragile glass frog faces several serious threats. These dangers put their future at risk.
Growing Cities and Farms
One of the biggest threats is the way cities are expanding. Also, more land is being used for farming. This leads to cutting down forests and breaking up the frog's home. Their habitat gets smaller because people need land for growing food and building.
Water Pollution and Resource Use
City growth and farming also cause water pollution. Harmful substances can get into the water where the frogs live. This hurts the delicate water environment they need to survive. Also, people are taking too much water from rivers and streams for homes and businesses. This further harms the frog's habitat.
Mining Activities
There is a growing problem with mining in the mountains of Carabobo state. This activity happens along rivers and streams. It directly harms the fragile glass frog and other amphibians that live near water. We need quick actions to stop these harmful practices and protect these sensitive ecosystems.
