Kalophrynus yongi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kalophrynus yongi |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
 |
|
| Kalophrynus yongi is only known from near the top of Gunung Brinchang in Peninsular Malaysia |
The Cameron Highland sticky frog (scientific name: Kalophrynus yongi) is a special kind of frog. It belongs to the Microhylidae family, which are often called narrow-mouthed frogs. This frog is found only in one small area of Peninsular Malaysia.
It lives near the top of Gunung Brinchang, also known as Mount Brinchang. This mountain is in the Cameron Highlands region of Pahang state. The frog's scientific name, yongi, honors Dr. Yong Hoi-Sen. He is a zoologist from the University of Malaya.
What Does It Look Like?
Adult male Cameron Highland sticky frogs are about 29 to 31 millimeters (about 1.1 to 1.2 inches) long. We don't know how big the females are yet. These frogs have a stocky, or chunky, body shape.
Their head is shaped like a triangle and is wider than it is long. The front of their face is somewhat pointed when you look from above. It looks flat when you see it from the side. They have clear ridges on their face and visible eardrums.
Their front legs are quite long and thick. Their fingers have rounded tips and a little bit of webbing at the bottom. The back legs are medium-sized. Their toes also have rounded tips and only a small amount of webbing.
The frog's back can be light orange-brown or dark chocolate-brown. It might have some faint dark patterns. Its belly is a dull cream color, with some brown dusting on its throat. Male frogs have a single vocal sac under their chin. This sac helps them make sounds.
Its Special Call
Male Cameron Highland sticky frogs make a soft "ting" sound. They don't call all the time, but rather in short bursts. This call helps them attract mates.
Where It Lives
Scientists first found these frogs in a mossy cloud forest. This type of forest is very damp and often covered in mist or clouds. The frogs were found at high elevations, between 1,954 and 1,991 meters (about 6,411 to 6,532 feet) above sea level.
Adult frogs are hard to spot because their colors help them blend in with the moss. They also like to burrow into the moss. They eat things like spiders, grasshoppers, and weevils.
Interestingly, eggs and tadpoles of this frog have been found in unusual places. They've been seen in the large, cup-shaped leaves of the pitcher plant Nepenthes macfarlanei. Tadpoles have also been found in tree stumps filled with water.
Why It Needs Our Help
The Cameron Highland sticky frog is a "micro-endemic" species. This means it lives in a very small, specific area. Suitable mossy forests are only found at the very top of Gunung Brinchang. This frog is likely not found anywhere else.
Its home is in danger because of human activities. Tourist activities like hiking and expanding tourist facilities can harm its habitat. Also, people illegally collect slipper orchids, which can disturb the forest where the frogs live.
Luckily, the frog's population is within the Gunung Brinchang Forest Reserve. This protected area helps to keep its habitat safe. However, continued efforts are needed to protect this unique frog.
