Indian burrowing frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indian burrowing frog |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sphaerotheca
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| Species: |
breviceps
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| Synonyms | |
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Tomopterna breviceps |
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The Indian burrowing frog (Sphaerotheca breviceps) is a special kind of frog. It's known for its amazing ability to dig into the ground! You can find these frogs in many parts of South Asia, including countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
Contents
What Does the Indian Burrowing Frog Look Like?
This frog has a strong, sturdy body. Its head is short and rounded at the front. The space between its eyes is narrower than its upper eyelid. It has ears that you can clearly see, which are about two-thirds the size of its eyes.
The frog's fingers are average in size. The first finger is longer than the second, almost as long as the third. Its toes are also average and are half-webbed, which means they have some skin between them.
On its feet, it has a very large, shovel-shaped bump on the inside. This special bump helps it dig! The back legs are short. When the frog stretches, its back legs can reach its armpit or its ear.
The skin on its back can be smooth or bumpy. It might have a few scattered bumps or short, broken lines. There's a strong fold of skin that runs from its eye to its shoulder. The skin on its belly and the underside of its thighs is bumpy.
Colors and Size
Indian burrowing frogs are usually light brown or olive green on top. They often have darker spots or swirly patterns. Sometimes, they have a light stripe down their back. They might also have another stripe on each side of their body.
Male frogs usually have blackish throats. Female frogs often have brown spots on their throats. Male frogs also have two special sacs inside their throats that they use to make loud calls.
These frogs are not very big. From their snout (nose) to their vent (tail end), they are about 2.5 inches long.
Where Does the Indian Burrowing Frog Live?
You can find the Indian burrowing frog in many different places. It lives in drier parts of India, from the Punjab and Sind regions all the way to southern India and Sri Lanka. In the Himalayas, it can live at high altitudes, up to about 7,000 feet!
Its Home Environment
This frog can live in many types of environments. It can be found in very dry, arid lands, but also in moist forests where trees lose their leaves.
When it's looking for a place to hide, this frog likes to be in leaf litter (dead leaves on the ground) or under rocks. It also hides in cracks in the ground or in open, dry areas.
How It Burrows
The Indian burrowing frog is an expert at digging! Its strong back legs are perfectly designed for this. It can dig down into the ground for about 1.5 feet. This helps it stay safe and cool, especially in dry areas.
