Osteocephalus fuscifacies facts for kids
Osteocephalus fuscifacies is a type of frog that lives only in Ecuador. It belongs to the Hylidae family, which includes many tree frogs. This frog is found in areas near the Napo River, usually at medium heights above sea level, between 250 and 950 meters (about 820 to 3,117 feet).
Its scientific name, fuscifacies, comes from Latin words. "Fuscus" means tan, and "facies" means face. This name describes its tan-colored face, which doesn't have any light spots under its eyes. A common name for this frog is the Napo slender-legged treefrog.
Quick facts for kids Osteocephalus fuscifacies |
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What it Looks Like
Male Osteocephalus fuscifacies frogs are about 35 to 44 millimeters (1.4 to 1.7 inches) long from their snout to their bottom. Females are larger, measuring about 52 to 58 millimeters (2 to 2.3 inches). Both their fingers and toes have some webbing between them.
The frog's back is usually tan. It often has darker tan stripes or spots across it. Its legs also have stripes. The frog's belly is light tan with small, creamy white bumps, or it can be completely creamy white. Its throat might have a few tan spots, but these are sometimes hard to see.
Behavior and Life Cycle
Osteocephalus fuscifacies frogs are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. The male frogs make calls from bromeliad plants, which are often found high up in trees, usually more than 7 meters (about 23 feet) above the ground.
It seems that these frogs lay their eggs inside bromeliads. They rarely come down to the ground. Because they spend most of their lives in trees, it can be quite hard for scientists to observe them.
Where it Lives and How We Protect It
The Napo slender-legged treefrog lives in tropical mountain forests and Napo moist forests. These areas are between 250 and 950 meters (about 820 to 3,117 feet) above sea level. Sometimes, they can even be found in banana plantations.
This frog is facing threats because its home is disappearing. This happens because of new farms and trees being cut down for wood. Luckily, this frog lives in two important protected areas: the Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park and Yasuni National Park. These parks help keep their homes safe.
See also
In Spanish: Osteocephalus fuscifacies para niños
