Negros cave frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Negros cave frog |
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Platymantis spelaea — Günther, 1999 (incorrect subsequent spelling) |
The Platymantis spelaeus, also called the Negros cave frog or cave wrinkled ground frog, is a special kind of frog. It belongs to the Ceratobatrachidae family. This frog is found only in the Philippines. You can only find it in the forests and limestone areas of southern Negros island. It is one of only two Platymantis frog species that live in caves. The other one is called Platymantis insulatus.
What Does the Negros Cave Frog Look Like?
Adult male Negros cave frogs are about 42–47 mm (1.7–1.9 in) long from their snout to their rear end. Female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring about 53–61 mm (2.1–2.4 in). Their snout, which is their nose area, is wide and rounded.
This frog has a fairly large eardrum, called a tympanum. Its fingers and toes have special pads called discs. The fingers are thin and do not have any webbing between them. However, the toes have a little bit of webbing at their base.
The skin on the frog's back, called the dorsum, feels rough. It is usually olive-green to brown with darker spots. The top parts of its legs have dark stripes. The inside of its legs can be orange or purple. The frog's belly is a creamy color and might have small brown spots.
Where Does the Negros Cave Frog Live?
Platymantis spelaeus frogs live in limestone areas and caves within forests. These places are usually found at heights of 20–400 m (66–1,312 ft) above sea level.
These frogs can be very common when it is the rainy season. But during the dry season, it is rare to see them. These frogs do not have a tadpole stage. Instead, the eggs hatch directly into tiny frogs.
How Is the Negros Cave Frog Protected?
The Negros cave frog is facing threats to its home. Its habitat is being lost because of farming methods that move around, people building in its areas, and mining for guano (bat droppings). Also, limestone is being removed from quarries, which destroys their homes.
Luckily, the main place where this frog was first found is now part of a special area. This area is called the Tiyabanan Banio community-based conservation area. This helps protect the frogs and their habitat.
