Hyperolius sylvaticus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hyperolius sylvaticus |
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The Hyperolius sylvaticus is a type of frog that belongs to the Hyperoliidae family. It's often called the Bobiri reed frog. You can find these frogs in parts of West Africa, including southern Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, and western Cameroon. They might also live in Liberia.
About This Frog
This frog was first described by a Danish scientist named Arne Schiøtz in 1967. He studied frogs from the Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary in Ghana. He also found that there were slightly different types, or subspecies, of this frog. These included Hyperolius sylvaticus ivorensis from Ivory Coast and Hyperolius sylvaticus nigeriensis from Nigeria and Cameroon.
What They Look Like
Hyperolius sylvaticus frogs are quite small.
- Male frogs are usually about 20 to 29 millimeters long.
- Female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring about 26 to 31 millimeters long.
- Males have a tiny, round flap of skin under their chin called a gular flap.
- Their pupils (the dark part of their eye) are shaped horizontally.
These frogs can have two different color patterns:
- Phase "J": All young frogs and many adult males have this pattern. They are usually brownish or green with a pattern on their back that looks like an hourglass.
- Phase "F": All female frogs, and some males, change to this phase before they start breeding. Frogs in this phase are often very colorful and can look different from each other.
The way they look can also vary a bit depending on where they live:
- The main type of Hyperolius sylvaticus has a clear hourglass pattern (Phase J) and a light stripe along its sides (Phase F).
- The Hyperolius s. ivorensis and Hyperolius s. nigeriensis subspecies have an hourglass pattern that is broken in the middle of their back.
- Hyperolius s. nigeriensis frogs are also larger. They have a dark, clear area behind their eye (Phase J) and a wide, dark-edged stripe on their sides (Phase F).
Male frogs make a special sound to attract mates. It's a series of short, metallic "clicks."
Life Cycle and Home
Hyperolius sylvaticus frogs live in moist lowland forests. They can also be found in forests that have been partly changed by humans, or in bush lands.
Reproduction
These frogs breed in temporary ponds found in the forest. The female frogs lay their eggs on leaves that hang over the water. When the tadpoles hatch, they simply fall into the water below.
Conservation Status
The Hyperolius sylvaticus is a common frog species. It can adapt to some changes in its environment. However, it doesn't do well if its forest home is completely cleared away. This means that things like farms growing bigger and more human homes being built can threaten them.
Luckily, these frogs live in several protected areas. These include:
- The Bobiri Forest Reserve in Ghana.
- Kakum National Park in Ghana.
- Taï National Park in Ivory Coast.
- Korup National Park in Cameroon.
They probably live in other protected areas too, which helps keep them safe.
