Marañón poison frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marañón poison frog |
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Dendrobates mysteriosus Myers, 1982 |
The Marañón poison frog (Excidobates mysteriosus) is a small, colorful frog. It belongs to a group called poison dart frogs. These frogs are famous for their bright colors. They also have toxins in their skin. This frog is known as rana venenosa in Spanish.
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What is a Poison Frog?
Poison dart frogs are a type of frog found in Central and South America. They are part of the Dendrobatidae family. Many of them have very bright colors. These colors warn predators that the frogs are poisonous. The Marañón poison frog is one such example.
Where Does it Live?
This special frog lives only in one place. It is found in the Cordillera del Condor mountains. This area is near the upper Marañón River in Cajamarca Department, Peru. This means it is endemic to this region. You won't find it anywhere else in the world.
Its Home: The Forest
The Marañón poison frog lives in a specific type of forest. This forest is called a primary premontane forest. It is a very old forest found on the slopes of mountains. These forests are its natural habitat. They provide everything the frog needs to survive.
Family Life: Reproduction
These frogs have an interesting way of raising their young. They lay their eggs in plants called bromeliads. Bromeliads are plants that grow on trees. They collect water in their leaves. This water forms small pools. The frog eggs hatch into tadpoles in these tiny pools. The parent frogs then care for their young.
Why is it in Danger?
Sadly, the Marañón poison frog is an endangered species. Its biggest threat is habitat loss. This means its forest home is disappearing. People cut down trees for farming or building. This leaves less space for the frogs to live.
Another problem is that people sometimes collect these frogs. They are taken from the wild for international trade. This also reduces the number of frogs in nature. Protecting their forest home is very important. It helps these unique frogs survive.
See also
In Spanish: Excidobates mysteriosus para niños
