Kassina cochranae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kassina cochranae |
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Kassina maculata Parker, 1931 (secondary homonym of Hylambates maculatus Duméril, 1853) |
The Kassina cochranae, also known as Cochran's running frog, is a type of frog. It belongs to the Hyperoliidae family, which includes many different kinds of frogs.
You can find this frog in parts of West Africa. It lives in southern Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and western Ivory Coast. It might also live in southern Ghana. Another frog, Kassina arboricola, was once thought to be a type of Kassina cochranae. But now, scientists know it is its own separate species.
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About the Name
The name cochranae was given to this frog to honor Doris Mable Cochran. She was an American herpetologist. A herpetologist is a scientist who studies amphibians and reptiles.
What it Looks Like
Cochran's running frogs are medium-sized and strong. They have short legs and arms. Their backs and sides have many large spots, usually between 35 and 77 of them.
Their bellies can be white or brown. Sometimes, they have tiny dots, but never large spots. They might have one or two spots on the back of their heads. Male frogs often have dark throats, sometimes with black spots.
Where it Lives and How it Survives
Cochran's running frogs live in forests. They are known as arboreal animals, which means they spend most of their time in trees. They can live in old forests or newer forests that have grown back. Sometimes, they are also found in wet savannas (grasslands with scattered trees) and mountain grasslands.
These frogs can even survive in small pieces of forest that are separated from larger areas. They also live in "gallery forests," which are strips of forest found along rivers in open landscapes.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Like other Kassina frogs, the Cochran's running frog likely lays its eggs in water. They prefer large pools of water that have lots of plants. Male frogs will call out to attract females. They usually do this from branches of bushes and trees, about 2 to 4 meters (6 to 13 feet) above the ground. Even though they are forest frogs, they sometimes call from more open spots. You might hear them at the edges of ponds or next to roads.
Conservation Status
The Kassina cochranae is common in many places where it lives. However, it is threatened in some areas because of habitat loss. This means their forest homes are being destroyed, often due to severe deforestation. Deforestation is when large areas of trees are cut down.
