West Cameroon forest treefrog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Cameroon forest treefrog |
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Leptopelis anchietae nordequatorialis Perret, 1966 |
Leptopelis nordequatorialis, also known as the West Cameroon forest treefrog, is a type of frog. It belongs to the Arthroleptidae family. You can find this frog in central and western Cameroon, especially in areas like the Bamileke Plateau and Adamawa Plateau. It also lives in eastern Nigeria, specifically the Mambilla Plateau. This frog is quite similar to two other frog species, Leptopelis anchietae and Leptopelis oryi.
What Does the West Cameroon Treefrog Look Like?
Adult male frogs are about 38–45 mm (1.5–1.8 in) long. Female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring about 48–54 mm (1.9–2.1 in) from their nose to their rear end. Their fingers and toes do not have special sticky pads or webbing. Male frogs have clear glands on their chest area.
The frog's back, called the dorsum, is green. It has a dark brown stripe along its side. This stripe goes from its nose all the way to its groin. Sometimes, you might see rows of dark spots on its back. These spots can form two lines along its sides. The frog's lower legs, called the tibia, are short. Young frogs, known as tadpoles, can grow up to 43 mm (1.7 in) long.
Male frogs make a special sound to attract mates. This sound is a loud "clack" that lasts for a very short time, about one-tenth of a second. Sometimes, they will make this sound twice.
Where Does This Frog Live?
The West Cameroon forest treefrog lives in mountain grasslands. It also likes pastures, which are fields where animals graze. These areas are found at high places, from 1,000–2,000 m (3,300–6,600 ft) above sea level.
These frogs lay their eggs in still water and wet marshy areas. Male frogs have been heard calling near small springs and wet spots where water seeps out of the ground. This frog is very common and can even live in places where the land has been changed by people. There are no big threats to this frog species. However, it has not been found inside any protected nature areas.
