Litoria chloristona facts for kids

The Litoria chloristona is a fascinating frog that lives in Papua New Guinea. Scientists first officially described this frog in 2008. It's a small, bright green frog known for its unique features and where it chooses to lay its eggs.

What is the Litoria chloristona?

This special frog is also known as a tree frog. It was first discovered near the Kikori River in Papua New Guinea. You can find it living from sea level up to 500 meters (about 1,640 feet) above sea level. This means it can live in areas close to the coast or a bit higher up in the hills.

What Does It Look Like?

The Litoria chloristona is quite small. Adult male frogs are usually about 2.0 to 2.4 centimeters (0.79 to 0.94 inches) long. Female frogs are a little bit bigger, growing to about 2.4 to 2.7 centimeters (0.94 to 1.1 inches) long.

This frog has big eyes and a nose that comes to a point. Its back is a bright, vibrant green color. Sometimes, it might even have a bronze color on its sides, adding to its unique look.

Life Cycle and Reproduction

Female Litoria chloristona frogs lay their eggs in still water. This means they choose water that isn't moving, like a calm pond or a puddle. The eggs are special because they float right to the surface of the water.

When the eggs hatch, tiny tadpoles emerge. These tadpoles have wide fins on their backs, which help them swim. They also have narrower fins on their bellies. You might notice that the tadpoles have different colored bands on their bodies, making them quite distinctive.

What's in a Name?

The scientific name chloristona has an interesting meaning. It comes from the Greek words. The word chloros means "green," which makes sense given the frog's bright green color. Elaschistos means "small," and ontos means "living thing." So, the name basically means "small green living thing," which perfectly describes this little frog!

See also

In Spanish: Litoria chloristona para niños