Isthmohyla infucata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isthmohyla infucata |
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Hyla pseudopuma ssp. infucata Duellman, 1969 |
The Isthmohyla infucata is a special type of frog that lives only in Panama. This means it is endemic to Panama, which means you won't find it naturally anywhere else in the world! It belongs to a family of frogs called Hylidae, which are often known as "tree frogs."
This little frog makes its home in wet, green places. It likes subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, which are forests found on mountains in warm, wet areas. It also lives in freshwater marshes, which are like swampy areas with lots of water and plants. Sometimes, it lives in marshes that dry up and fill with water again, called intermittent freshwater marshes. Sadly, the Isthmohyla infucata is currently threatened because it is losing its natural habitat.
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About the Isthmohyla infucata Frog
The Isthmohyla infucata was first officially described in 2001 by a scientist named Duellman. Before that, it was sometimes thought to be a different kind of frog. This frog is part of the Hylidae family, which is a very large group of frogs. Many frogs in this family are known for living in trees or having special pads on their toes that help them climb.
What Makes This Frog Special
Like all frogs, the Isthmohyla infucata is an amphibian. This means it can live both in water and on land. Young frogs, called tadpoles, usually live in water, while adult frogs spend more time on land, especially near water sources. Frogs play an important role in their ecosystems. They often eat insects, helping to control insect populations.
Where This Frog Lives
The Isthmohyla infucata lives only in the country of Panama, which is in Central America. It prefers very specific places to live.
- Montane Forests: These are forests found on the sides of mountains. They are usually very wet and misty, which is perfect for frogs that need a lot of moisture.
- Freshwater Marshes: These are wetlands filled with fresh water. They have many plants and are often home to lots of insects, which frogs love to eat.
- Intermittent Marshes: These are marshes that can dry up during certain times of the year and then fill with water again when it rains. Frogs that live here have to be able to adapt to these changes.
Why This Frog Needs Help
The Isthmohyla infucata is listed as an endangered species. This means its population is getting very small, and it is at risk of disappearing forever. The biggest reason for this is habitat loss.
- Deforestation: Forests where these frogs live are being cut down for farming, building, or other human activities. When the trees are gone, the frogs lose their homes and places to find food and shelter.
- Pollution: Water and land can become polluted by chemicals or waste. This harms the delicate skin of frogs and can make their habitats unsafe.
- Climate Change: Changes in weather patterns, like less rain or more extreme temperatures, can affect the marshes and forests where these frogs live.
Protecting the habitats of frogs like the Isthmohyla infucata is very important. When we protect their homes, we also help many other plants and animals that live in the same areas.
See Also
- In Spanish: Isthmohyla infucata para niños
