Leptodactylus podicipinus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leptodactylus podicipinus |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Cystignathus podicipinus Cope, 1862 |
The pointedbelly frog (scientific name: Leptodactylus podicipinus) is a type of frog that belongs to the Leptodactylidae family. You can find these frogs in several South American countries, including northern Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Brazil.
These frogs like to live in grassy areas and open spaces. They are often found near ponds and places that get flooded. They are quite common where they live. Pointedbelly frogs lay their eggs in special foam nests. These nests are usually found at the edges of ponds or flooded areas.
Male pointedbelly frogs are about 24 and 43 mm (0.94 and 1.69 in) long from their snout to their rear end. Females are a bit bigger, growing to about 30 and 54 mm (1.2 and 2.1 in) long.
Contents
What Does the Pointedbelly Frog Look Like?
The pointedbelly frog is a medium-sized frog. Female frogs are usually between 30 and 54 mm (1.2 and 2.1 in) long. Male frogs are a bit smaller, measuring between 24 and 43 mm (0.94 and 1.69 in).
These frogs have short, not very noticeable folds on their back. They also have yellowish patches on their sides and near their legs. Their back is usually brown. Their belly is dark gray and often has white spots or patterns. This pattern continues onto the back of their thighs. The tips of their toes are either straight or slightly rounded.
Baby frogs, called tadpoles, grow to about 28 mm (1.1 in) long. They are brown, and sometimes their tails have small white speckles.
Where Do Pointedbelly Frogs Live?
The pointedbelly frog lives in the northern part of South America. You can find them from central and western Brazil all the way south to northern and eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, northeastern Argentina, and northern Uruguay.
They prefer open areas near rivers that flood during certain seasons. They also like moist grasslands and areas around ponds. These frogs can live in places up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) high.
How Pointedbelly Frogs Live and Reproduce
Like other frogs in their group, pointedbelly frogs have strong skulls and legs. These are great for digging! The male frog uses both his snout and legs to dig.
One special thing about these frogs is how the male builds a foam nest for the eggs. In some places, like the Pantanal in Brazil, male frogs have been seen digging small dips in the ground near the edge of ponds. They then make their foam nests in these small, water-filled holes. This is a bit different from other frogs that might make nests directly in larger bodies of water or completely underground.
Are Pointedbelly Frogs Safe?
The pointedbelly frog is a common frog in most of the places it lives. It doesn't seem to have any big threats. These frogs are also very good at adapting to different environments. They can even live in areas changed by humans, including cities in northern Argentina.
Because they are common and can adapt well, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says that their conservation status is "least concern". This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
