Leptopelis susanae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leptopelis susanae |
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The Susan's tree frog (scientific name: Leptopelis susanae) is a special kind of frog that belongs to the Arthroleptidae family. This frog is found only in a small area of southwest Ethiopia, specifically in the Gughe Mountains and Saja Forest. It's called "Susan's tree frog" because it was named after Susan, the wife of the scientist Malcolm Largen who first described it.
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What Does Susan's Tree Frog Look Like?
Susan's tree frogs are quite sturdy. Adult males are about 32 to 37 millimeters long from their snout to their bottom. Females are larger, measuring about 48 to 53 millimeters.
Body Features
- Snout: Their snout (nose area) is short and rounded.
- Eyes: They have big, bulging eyes that stick out.
- Ears: The frog's eardrum, called the tympanum, is round and easy to see.
- Toes and Fingers: Their fingers and toes have special pads called digital discs. They also have some webbing between their toes and the two outer fingers.
Colors and Patterns
The back of the Susan's tree frog, called the dorsum, can be many colors. It might be pale grey, brown, brick red, or even bright yellowish-green.
They often have darker patterns on their back:
- A stripe usually runs down the middle of their back.
- This stripe often connects to a bar between their eyes.
- They might also have shorter stripes or spots on the sides of their back.
- A brown or black stripe, called a canthal stripe, runs from their snout towards their shoulder. It then breaks into blotches.
- Their belly is white with light spots.
Frog Calls
Male Susan's tree frogs make a quiet "click" sound to attract mates. Sometimes, this click is followed by a low scream or a creaking noise.
Where Do Susan's Tree Frogs Live?
Susan's tree frogs live in mountain forests in Ethiopia. They are found at high elevations, from about 1,960 to 3,000 meters above sea level. They prefer healthy forests and do not live in areas where the habitat has been damaged.
Life Cycle
Male frogs call from plants near streams, usually about 25 to 150 centimeters above the ground. Scientists believe that the female frogs lay their eggs in nests on land, close to the water. After the eggs hatch, the tadpoles then develop in the water.
Why Are Susan's Tree Frogs Endangered?
In 1975, Susan's tree frogs were quite common in the Gughe Mountains. However, recent surveys have found very few of them. This means their numbers are shrinking.
The biggest threats to these frogs are:
- Forest Clearance: Forests where they live are being cut down.
- Human Settlement: More people are moving into their habitat.
- Agricultural Encroachment: Land is being used for farming, which takes away their forest homes.
Today, only small parts of their mountain forest habitat remain. Sadly, these frogs are not known to live in any protected areas, which makes their future uncertain.
