Meristogenys kinabaluensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Meristogenys kinabaluensis |
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Amolops kinabaluensis Inger, 1966 |
The Meristogenys kinabaluensis, also known as the Kiau Borneo frog or Kinabalu torrent frog, is a type of frog. It belongs to the Ranidae family, which includes many common frogs.
This special frog lives only on the island of Borneo. You can find it in Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia, and in Kalimantan in Indonesia. Its scientific name, kinabaluensis, comes from Mount Kinabalu, where it was first discovered.
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About the Kinabalu Torrent Frog
What Does It Look Like?
Male Kinabalu torrent frogs are usually about 50 to 68 millimeters long. That's about the length of your thumb! Female frogs are bigger, growing up to 90 millimeters long.
These frogs have a rounded snout, which is the front part of their head. Their body is a bit wider than some other frogs in the Meristogenys group. Their skin on the back has small, smooth bumps. The most noticeable thing about them is their bright green color, even their eyes are green!
Life Cycle: Tadpoles
The babies of these frogs are called tadpoles. They can grow to be about 60 millimeters long. Tadpoles are light brown with a hint of yellow.
They have a strong tail that helps them swim. Their body and snout are flat and smooth, which helps them move easily in the water.
Where Do These Frogs Live?
Their Forest Home
The Kinabalu torrent frog lives in forests high up in the mountains. You can find them between 750 and 1700 meters above sea level. These areas are called submontane and montane forests.
They love small, clear streams that have lots of rocks. These streams are where they lay their eggs and where their tadpoles grow.
Night Life and Food
At night, these frogs often sit on tree trunks or branches. They perch about 1 to 2 meters high, close to the rocky streams.
The tadpoles are very good at holding onto rocks. They stay in places where the water current is strong. They probably eat tiny plants, like algae, that grow on the rocks.
Protecting the Kinabalu Torrent Frog
Why They Need Help
Sadly, the Kinabalu torrent frog is facing threats. Their homes, the forests, are slowly disappearing. This is called habitat loss. When forests are cut down, these frogs lose their places to live and breed.
Safe Places for Frogs
Even though their habitat is threatened, these frogs live in several special protected areas. These areas are like nature parks where animals and their homes are kept safe.
Some of these important parks include:
- Kinabalu Park
- Crocker Range National Park
- Kayan Mentarang National Park
- Gunung Mulu National Park
These parks help protect the Kinabalu torrent frog and many other amazing animals and plants in Borneo.
