Okinawan green tree frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Okinawan green tree frog |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Rhacophoridae |
| Genus: | Zhangixalus |
| Species: |
Z. viridis
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| Binomial name | |
| Zhangixalus viridis (Hallowell, 1861)
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| Synonyms | |
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The Okinawan green tree frog (Zhangixalus viridis), also called the green flying frog, is a type of frog. It belongs to the Rhacophoridae family, known for their tree frogs. This special frog lives only in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. You can find it on Okinawa, Iheya, and Kume Islands.
Another frog, Zhangixalus amamiensis from the Amami Islands, used to be considered a part of this species. But now, scientists know they are different.
Contents
What Happened to the Okinawan Green Tree Frog?
Sadly, the Okinawan green tree frog is no longer found on Yoron Island. It disappeared sometime after 1958. This happened because its home changed. The paddy fields (rice fields) where it lived became drier areas.
Also, a new animal was brought to the island: the Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi). This weasel hunted the frogs. The loss of this frog from Yoron Island is the first time a native amphibian has completely disappeared from an island in the Ryukyu Archipelago in modern times.
About the Okinawan Green Tree Frog
The Okinawan green tree frog is a medium-sized tree frog. It measures about 65 to 84 millimeters (2.5 to 3.3 inches) from its snout to its bottom. Its skin on the back can be bright green or brown.
This frog has special disks on its toes. These disks help it climb trees easily. Its belly is usually yellow or white.
Where Do They Live?
These frogs are common in forests. They like to live near paddy fields and wetlands. These wet areas are perfect for them.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
The Okinawan green tree frog lays its eggs in wetlands and paddy fields. The adult female frog creates a special foam nest. This nest is usually near the edge of the water in a rice paddy or marsh.
Sometimes, the male frog will even dig a small hole for the eggs. When the eggs hatch, the foam nest turns into a liquid. This liquid then flows into the paddy or pool, carrying the tiny tadpoles with it.
Tadpoles and Froglets
The tadpoles of the Okinawan green tree frog can grow quite long. They can be up to 40 or even 50 millimeters (1.6 to 2 inches) in length. These tadpoles have a long tail with small spots on it.
When the tadpoles grow into young froglets, they are much smaller. A young froglet is usually about 17 to 19 millimeters (0.67 to 0.75 inches) long from its snout to its bottom.
 | Victor J. Glover |
 | Yvonne Cagle |
 | Jeanette Epps |
 | Bernard A. Harris Jr. |
