La Brea poison frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids La Brea poison frog |
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Dendrobates occultator Myers & Daly, 1976 |
The La Brea poison frog (Oophaga occultator) is a special kind of frog. It belongs to the family Dendrobatidae, which are often called "poison dart frogs." This frog lives only in one specific area of Colombia, in a mountain range called the Cordillera Occidental. It's found in the Cauca Department.
About the La Brea Poison Frog
This small frog mainly lives on the ground in thick, untouched lowland rainforests. Sometimes, you might spot it sitting on leaves a bit higher up. Scientists don't know if it can live in areas where the forest has been disturbed. This is because its known home is still a healthy, wild place.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
We don't have much direct information about how the La Brea poison frog lays its eggs or raises its young. However, it's probably similar to its close relative, the Oophaga histrionica frog.
These frogs likely lay their eggs on the ground. Once the tiny tadpoles hatch, the mother frog carefully carries them on her back. She takes them to small pools of water that collect inside plants like bromeliads. These plants grow on trees and have cup-like centers that hold rainwater. The tadpoles then grow and develop in these safe, watery nurseries.
Protecting This Frog
The La Brea poison frog is facing some serious challenges. The biggest threats to its survival are things that destroy its rainforest home. People are cutting down trees for farms and logging. New towns and villages are also being built in the forest.
Pollution is another problem. Chemicals used in farming can harm the frogs and their environment. This frog has never been part of the international pet trade. This means it's not captured and sold as a pet, which is good news for its wild populations. Protecting its rainforest home is very important to keep this unique frog safe.
See also
In Spanish: Oophaga occultator para niños
