Mette's reed frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mette's reed frog |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hyperolius
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| Species: |
pseudargus
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The Mette's reed frog (Hyperolius pseudargus) is a type of frog. It belongs to the Hyperoliidae family. This frog lives only in a specific part of south-central Tanzania. This means it is endemic to that area. You can find it in the Udzungwa Mountains and south to Njombe. This area is known as the Southern Highlands. Male Mette's reed frogs look a lot like another frog called Hyperolius argus. But they have less webbing between their toes. Also, the sounds the males make to attract mates are different. The frog is named after Mette Westergaard. She is a Danish biologist. She helped discover and describe this species.
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What Does It Look Like?
Male Mette's reed frogs are about 31 to 35 millimeters long. This measurement is from their snout to their rear end. Their body and head are wide and flat. Their eyes do not stick out very much. They have less webbing between their toes compared to some other frogs.
Colors and Markings
The frog's back, called the dorsum, is green. It has thin yellow stripes near its nose and along its sides. Sometimes these stripes are hard to see. Small yellow dots are usually present on its back. The top of its eyelid is yellow or a bit reddish. Its belly, called the ventrum, is yellow. Its toes and fingers are yellow-green.
Male Vocal Sac
Male frogs have a large vocal sac. This is a pouch under their throat. It inflates when they call. When a male is calling, this sac looks bluish. At other times, it is yellow-green.
The Frog's Call
The male frog's call is a fast series of loud, harsh clicks. These clicks come out in a rhythm that gets a bit faster. This call helps them attract female frogs.
Where Does It Live?
The Mette's reed frog lives in open farmlands. It also lives in areas that used to be forests but are now changed by farming. These areas are sometimes called "farm bush." You can also find them in mountain grasslands. They live at high places, from about 1500 to 1850 meters above sea level.
Breeding Habits
These frogs lay their eggs and breed in small pools of water. Male frogs call out from sedges, which are grass-like plants near the water. They also call from plants floating on the water.
Is It Safe?
This frog species is quite common. Even though it lives in a small area, it can adapt to different places. It is not facing big dangers right now. It might even live inside the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. This park helps protect animals and their homes.
