Kroombit tinker frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kroombit tinker frog |
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The Kroombit tinker frog (Taudactylus pleione) is a tiny, special frog found only in Central Queensland, Australia. It's also sometimes called Pleione's torrent frog. This little frog lives near small flowing streams, hiding among rocks and fallen leaves. It belongs to a group of frogs called Myobatrachidae.
Why This Frog Needs Our Help
Like many other frogs in its family, the Kroombit tinker frog is in big trouble. Its numbers have dropped a lot, and it is now considered critically endangered. This means it's at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
Scientists are not completely sure why these frogs are declining. A big reason is likely a disease called Chytridiomycosis, caused by a special kind of fungus (chytrid fungus). This fungus attacks the frog's skin, making it hard for them to breathe and drink. The frogs might also be losing their homes because of habitat loss.
The Kroombit tinker frog is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. This is a worldwide list of animals and plants that need protection. It's also listed as Endangered under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992 and critically endangered under Australia's national EPBC Act. These laws help protect the frog and its home.
In November 2020, experts thought there were fewer than 200 Kroombit tinker frogs left in the wild. They live in tropical rainforest areas within Kroombit Tops National Park. This park is about 70 kilometers (43 miles) southwest of Gladstone. The biggest threats to these frogs are still the chytrid fungus, changes in climate, and losing their natural homes.
Helping the Kroombit Tinker Frog Survive
There's good news! In 2020, Australian scientists at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary started breeding the Kroombit tinker frog. This was the first time they had ever been bred in captivity. This success gives a lot of hope that these frogs can be saved from extinction.
Scientists had been trying to breed them since around 2000. But it wasn't until 2008, when the wildlife sanctuary opened a special frog-breeding facility, that they could really start their important work.
Finally, their efforts paid off. The captive frogs laid eggs (this is called spawning). The first tiny tadpole grew into a frog in November 2020. This was a huge step forward in protecting this unique Australian frog.
