Mediterranean tree frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mediterranean tree frog |
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The Mediterranean tree frog or stripeless tree frog (Hyla meridionalis) is a small, green frog that lives in parts of Africa and Europe. You can find it in countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy. These frogs love places where there is lots of moisture in the air, often near water sources.
Where They Live
The Mediterranean tree frog prefers warm, humid environments. They are often found in areas with plenty of plants and close to ponds, lakes, or slow-moving rivers. These frogs need water not just for drinking, but also for laying their eggs and for their young to grow. Their green color helps them blend in with the leaves and plants where they live.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
The female Mediterranean tree frog lays her eggs in groups on plants that are near the edge of a body of water. These eggs are usually laid in clusters, attached to underwater vegetation. After about eight to ten days, the tiny tadpoles hatch from the eggs.
These tadpoles are aquatic, meaning they live entirely in the water. They can grow quite large, sometimes reaching up to 5.5 centimeters (about 2 inches) in length. Over the next three or four months, the tadpoles go through a process called metamorphosis. During this time, they slowly change from water-dwelling tadpoles with gills and tails into air-breathing frogs with legs and lungs. Once they have fully transformed, they leave the water and begin their lives on land.
What They Eat
Mediterranean tree frogs are carnivores, which means they eat other animals. Their diet mainly consists of insects and other small insect-like animals. For example, they are known to eat spiders, flies, and mosquitoes. They use their long, sticky tongues to catch their prey quickly.
Images for kids
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A Mediterranean tree frog in its resting position in Haute-Garonne, France.
See also
In Spanish: Ranita meridional para niños
