Knocking sand frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Knocking sand frog |
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The knocking sand frog (Tomopterna krugerensis) is a special type of frog. People also call it the sandveld pyxie or Kruger burrowing frog. It belongs to the Pyxicephalidae family. You can find this frog in several countries in southern Africa. These include Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, and Eswatini. Scientists first found this frog on October 23, 1973. They discovered it in South Africa's famous Kruger National Park. Many frogs appeared after heavy rain. They were found near Machayi and Mathlakuza Pans.
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What Does the Knocking Sand Frog Look Like?
These frogs are quite small. Male frogs are about 38 to 45 millimeters long. Female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring 41 to 46 millimeters. This measurement is from their snout (nose) to their vent (tail end).
The knocking sand frog has a strong, sturdy body. Its head is short and wide. Its front legs are also short and strong. However, its back legs are longer than its body when stretched out. This helps them jump!
Their fingers do not have webbing between them. But their toes do have some webbing. This webbing helps them move in wet places. They have an eardrum, called a tympanum. Sometimes, it can be hard to see clearly.
The frog's back, or dorsum, is usually a cream-beige color. It can also be light grey-brown or a medium brown. It has many uneven, khaki-brown marks. These marks are outlined with dark brown or black. You might also see bright orange bumps, called tubercles, all over its back. Each bump has a black edge. The frog's belly is pure white.
How Do We Identify This Frog?
Knocking sand frogs look very much like two other frog species. These are Tomopterna cryptotis and Tomopterna tandyi. It's hard to tell them apart just by looking.
However, male knocking sand frogs have a unique call. They make a slow, tapping sound. It sounds like a "knock" or a "cluck." It's almost like a metronome keeping time. This special sound helps scientists know which frog it is!
Where Do Knocking Sand Frogs Live?
The knocking sand frog lives in savanna areas. These are grasslands with scattered trees. They seem to prefer places with sandy soil. These frogs are very adaptable. They can even live in areas that humans have changed.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Knocking sand frogs breed in temporary water bodies. These are pools of water that appear after rain. They can be large or small. This includes pans, vleis (wetlands), and flooded grasslands.
Is the Knocking Sand Frog Safe?
This frog species is very flexible and can live in many different places. It does not face any major dangers right now. It lives in many protected areas. One important protected area is the Kruger National Park. The frog is even named after this park!
