Yellow-spotted Andes frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yellow-spotted Andes frog |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The yellow-spotted Andes frog, officially known as Lynchius flavomaculatus, is a type of frog. It belongs to the Strabomantidae family. You can find this frog in the Andes mountains, specifically in southern Ecuador and northern Peru.
What Does It Look Like?
Adult male frogs are about 24–35 mm (0.9–1.4 in) long from their snout to their rear end. Female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring 35–44 mm (1.4–1.7 in). Their snout, which is their nose area, is rounded.
These frogs have a clear eardrum, called a tympanum. Their fingers are long and thin. They do not have webbing between their fingers or toes. The tips of their fingers are narrowly rounded.
The skin on their back, head, and legs feels like shagreen, which is a rough, grainy texture. They also have a few small bumps, called tubercles, especially on their back.
Their skin is a mix of dark yellow and reddish-brown colors. They have faint yellow stripes on their legs, head, and upper lips. Dark brown stripes also cross their legs.
The sides of their body are yellow with brown spots. Their belly is grayish-brown. You might see yellow patches on their belly, the underside of their legs, and the front of their thighs. Their eyes have a pale green iris with black patterns, like a net.
Where Does It Live and How Is It Doing?
The Lynchius flavomaculatus lives in special mountain areas called páramo habitats. These areas are very high up, between 2,215–3,200 m (7,267–10,499 ft) above sea level.
This frog lives on land, meaning it is a terrestrial frog. It probably has direct development. This means that instead of hatching as tadpoles in water, the eggs hatch directly into tiny frogs.
The yellow-spotted Andes frog is quite rare. Its home is in danger because of farming and other types of plantations that are not for timber. Fires might also be a problem for their habitat. Luckily, this frog lives in the Podocarpus National Park, which helps protect some of its natural home.
