North shore marsupial frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North shore marsupial frog |
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The Gastrotheca espeletia, also known as the north shore marsupial frog, is a special kind of frog. It belongs to the Hemiphractidae family. This unique frog can be found living in the countries of Colombia and Ecuador.
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About the North Shore Marsupial Frog
This frog gets its interesting name, "marsupial frog," because of how it cares for its young. Unlike most frogs that lay eggs in water, the female marsupial frog carries her eggs in a special pouch on her back. This pouch acts like a safe nursery, protecting the eggs until they are ready to hatch. It's a bit like how a kangaroo carries its baby in a pouch!
Where Does It Live?
The north shore marsupial frog loves places that are moist and often high up in the mountains. Its natural habitats include:
- Subtropical or tropical moist montane forests: These are forests found on mountainsides where it's warm and wet.
- Subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland: Areas with bushes and shrubs at high elevations.
- Subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland: Grassy areas also found high up in the mountains.
- Rivers: They can be found near flowing water.
- Freshwater marshes: Wet, swampy areas with lots of plants.
- Intermittent freshwater marshes: These are marshes that sometimes dry up and then fill with water again.
These frogs need a mix of these environments to find food, shelter, and places to reproduce.
Why Is It Endangered?
Sadly, the north shore marsupial frog is currently listed as an endangered species. This means its population is shrinking, and it's at risk of disappearing forever. The main reason for this danger is habitat loss.
What Is Habitat Loss?
Habitat loss happens when the natural places where animals live are destroyed or changed. For the north shore marsupial frog, this can mean:
- Forests are cut down for farming or building.
- Wetlands are drained.
- Rivers become polluted.
When their homes are lost, these frogs struggle to find food, safe places to live, and partners to reproduce with. Protecting their habitats is super important to help these amazing marsupial frogs survive.
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