Hyperolius hypsiphonus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hyperolius hypsiphonus |
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| Male Alexteroon hypsiphonus | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hyperoliidae |
| Genus: | Hyperolius |
| Species: |
H. hypsiphonus
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| Binomial name | |
| Hyperolius hypsiphonus (Amiet, 2000)
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| Synonyms | |
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The Hyperolius hypsiphonus is a fascinating type of frog that belongs to the Hyperoliidae family. You might also hear it called the cross-banded egg-guarding frog. These small amphibians live in parts of Africa, including southern Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the western Republic of the Congo, and northwestern Angola.
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What Does This Frog Look Like?
The cross-banded egg-guarding frog is quite small, growing to about 28 millimeters (just over 1 inch) long from its snout to its rear end. It has a slim body and a wide head with a short nose. Its eyes are big and noticeable.
This frog also has a clear eardrum, called a tympanum, on the side of its head. Its fingers and toes have large, round tips, which help it grip surfaces. It also has strong webbing between its fingers and toes, perfect for climbing and moving around.
The skin on its back feels bumpy and has a unique pattern, almost like lichen growing on a tree. During the day, its skin looks grayish, but at night, it turns a dark brown. You'll also see many small black dots and three wavy, black-edged bands across its back. These bands can be reddish-brown or match the color of its back. Its belly is a see-through whitish or turquoise color.
Where Does This Frog Live?
The cross-banded egg-guarding frog loves to live near rivers in warm, wet rainforests. You can find them in areas that are below 630 meters (about 2,067 feet) in elevation.
These frogs are arboreal, which means they spend most of their time in trees and plants, not on the ground. The male frogs often call out from high up in the vegetation, usually at least 5 meters (about 16 feet) above the ground. They do this to attract females.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
When it's time to lay eggs, the female frog places them on leaves that hang over small ponds. Once the tiny tadpoles hatch from the eggs, they simply drop into the water below, where they will continue to grow and develop.
Conservation Status
Even though the cross-banded egg-guarding frog is common in places where its habitat is suitable, it faces a big threat: habitat loss. This means that the rainforests where it lives are shrinking or being damaged.
Luckily, this frog species can be found in Lopé National Park in Gabon, which is a protected area. It's also likely that they live in other protected areas, which helps keep them safe.
 | Kyle Baker |
 | Joseph Yoakum |
 | Laura Wheeler Waring |
 | Henry Ossawa Tanner |
