Hyperolius torrentis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hyperolius torrentis |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
The Ukami reed frog (Hyperolius torrentis) is a type of frog that belongs to the Hyperoliidae family. It lives in parts of Ghana, Togo, and Benin, mainly along the Akwapim-Togo Ranges. This frog is special because it likes to live near very fast-flowing streams and waterfalls in forests.
Contents
What Does the Ukami Reed Frog Look Like?
The Ukami reed frog is a fairly large frog for its kind. Male frogs are about 31 to 38 millimeters (about 1.2 to 1.5 inches) long from their snout to their rear end. Female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring around 41 millimeters (about 1.6 inches).
Colors and Patterns
The frog's back, called the dorsum, can be yellow, brown, or olive green. Some male frogs might have a darker, blurry pattern on their back that looks a bit like an hourglass. The belly, or ventrum, is usually yellowish-orange. The tips of their fingers and toes, which are like little sticky pads, are pink.
Special Features
Male Ukami reed frogs have a small, round flap of skin under their chin. This is called a gular flap. They use it to make sounds.
How They Communicate
When male frogs want to attract a mate, they make a special sound called an "advertisement call." The Ukami reed frog's call is an irregular series of loud "clicks." These clicks are quite strong and last a long time. Scientists say their calls sound "larger" than those of other frogs like H. concolor and H. baumanni that live in the same areas.
Where Does the Ukami Reed Frog Live?
The Ukami reed frog is a forest animal. It lives in areas where forests are often damaged or cut down. However, it cannot survive outside of these forest environments. These frogs are very particular about their homes. They are always found close to very fast-flowing streams and waterfalls.
Specific Habitats
You might find these frogs on or near tall, rocky cliffs inside forests. They also live in small valleys within open forests. Sometimes, they are seen in trees or on plants very close to streams.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Ukami reed frogs lay their eggs in streams. The female frog places her eggs on leaves that hang over the water. This way, when the tadpoles hatch, they can drop directly into the stream.
Protecting the Ukami Reed Frog
The Ukami reed frog is not very common and has only been found in a few places. Some researchers have reported seeing many of them in certain areas of Ghana, but they couldn't find any in Togo.
Threats to Their Home
The forests where these frogs live are facing many problems. People are clearing land for farming, cutting down trees for logging, and building new towns and villages. These activities destroy the frog's home. The frog's habitat is also becoming broken up into smaller pieces, which is called habitat fragmentation. This makes it harder for frog populations to connect and survive.
Conservation Status
Because the Ukami reed frog lives in a small and broken-up area, and its home is being threatened, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed it as a "Vulnerable" species. This means it is at high risk of becoming endangered if its habitat continues to be destroyed.
Protected Areas
Thankfully, the Ukami reed frog does live in at least one protected area: the Kyabobo National Park in Ghana. National parks help protect animals and their homes from human activities.
