Moss froglet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moss froglet |
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The moss froglet (Crinia nimbus) is a special kind of frog that lives only in southern Tasmania. This means it is endemic to that area, so you won't find it naturally anywhere else in the world! It belongs to the Myobatrachidae family of frogs.
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Meet the Moss Froglet
These tiny frogs are quite small. Adult male moss froglets are usually about 19 to 27 millimeters (0.7 to 1.1 inches) long. Female moss froglets are a bit bigger, measuring around 25 to 30 millimeters (1 to 1.2 inches) from their snout to their bottom.
Their snouts are short and stick out a little. They have eyes that really stand out. You might notice that their eardrum, called a tympanum, isn't very clear to see. Their fingers and toes don't have webs between them.
The color of their back can be very dark brown, grey-brown, or even tan. Some moss froglets have darker patterns on their backs, but these can be hard to see on the darkest ones. A few even have a light stripe down the middle of their back. Their bellies are usually dark brown with tiny white spots, or they can be pale with dark spots.
What Does a Moss Froglet Sound Like?
Male moss froglets make a unique sound to attract females. Their call is a series of "tok" sounds. People often say it sounds like a ping-pong ball bouncing on a wooden table!
Where Does the Moss Froglet Live?
The moss froglet is the only type of frog in Tasmania that lives completely on land. They love cool, damp places in the mountains. You can find them in wet, open areas like moorland (which has lots of shrubs and heath plants), or in thick rainforests. They live from sea level all the way up to about 1,287 meters (4,222 feet) high.
These frogs are often hard to spot because they are very good at hiding. They like to stay hidden in plants or inside cozy nests. However, during spring and summer, you might hear the males calling out!
Life Cycle of the Moss Froglet
Female moss froglets lay their eggs in special nests. These nests are built in soft places like moss, lichen, or peat. Each nest usually holds a small number of eggs, from 4 to 16.
The baby frogs, called larvae, hatch inside their egg capsules. After a while, these capsules break down. But the larvae don't leave the nest right away! They continue to grow inside a jelly-like substance. They don't need to eat during this time. They only leave their nest after they have fully changed into tiny frogs, a process called metamorphosis. This whole development, from egg to froglet, takes about one year!
Keeping Moss Froglets Safe
Scientists believe that the moss froglet is probably found all over southwestern Tasmania. Right now, there aren't many known dangers to these frogs. However, their nests on land can be easily damaged. If animals or people (like tourists or researchers) accidentally step on them, it can harm the eggs or larvae.
The good news is that most of the areas where moss froglets live are protected. They are found inside national parks, which helps keep their homes safe.
