Markham's frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leiopelma markhamiTemporal range: Holocene
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Markham's frog (Leiopelma markhami) was a special type of frog that once lived in New Zealand. Sadly, it is now extinct, meaning there are no more of these frogs left alive. It is one of three native New Zealand frog species that have disappeared forever. The other two are the Aurora frog and the Waitomo frog.
Scientists learned about Markham's frog by studying its subfossil bones. These bones were found in a place called Honeycomb Hill Cave on the South Island of New Zealand. Even though the bones were found there, this frog used to live on both the South and North Islands. Experts believe it was a strong, sturdy frog that grew to be about 50–60 mm long, from its nose to its rear end.
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What Was Markham's Frog Like?
Markham's frog was a unique amphibian. It belonged to a group of ancient frogs called Leiopelma. These frogs are special because they have some features that are different from most other frogs around the world today. For example, they don't have external eardrums. They also don't have a tadpole stage that swims in water. Instead, their young develop directly into tiny frogs.
This frog was quite robust, which means it was strong and well-built. Its size, around 5 to 6 centimeters, made it one of the larger native New Zealand frogs. We can imagine it had a sturdy body, ready for its life in the New Zealand environment.
Where Did Markham's Frog Live?
Markham's frog made its home in the forests and damp areas of New Zealand. Its bones have been found on both the North and South Islands. This tells us it was spread across a wide range of habitats. New Zealand's forests are often cool and wet, which would have been perfect for this type of frog.
Like many frogs, it probably preferred places with plenty of moisture. This could have been near streams, in damp leaf litter, or under logs and rocks. These hiding spots would have kept it safe and moist.
How Do We Know About Markham's Frog?
We know about Markham's frog because of paleontologists. These are scientists who study ancient life. In 1987, a scientist named Trevor H. Worthy officially described Markham's frog. He did this after studying its subfossil bones.
Subfossil bones are not as old as true fossils. They are bones that have been preserved for thousands of years but haven't fully turned into rock. Finding these bones in places like Honeycomb Hill Cave helps us understand animals that lived long ago. It's like finding clues from the past that tell us about creatures we can no longer see.
Why Did Markham's Frog Disappear?
The exact reasons why Markham's frog became extinct are not fully known. However, many native New Zealand animals faced challenges when humans arrived. One major reason for extinctions is habitat loss. As people cleared forests for farms and towns, frogs lost their homes.
Another big problem was the introduction of new animals. Predators like rats, stoats, and cats, which were brought to New Zealand, hunted native species. These native animals, including frogs, had not evolved to protect themselves from such predators. Diseases can also play a role in frog extinctions. It's likely a combination of these factors led to the disappearance of Markham's frog and other native species.
