Otton frog facts for kids
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The Otton frog (Babina subaspera) is a super cool and unique type of frog. It belongs to the Ranidae family, which includes many common frogs. This special frog lives only on the islands of Amami Ōshima and Kakeromajima in Japan's Ryukyu Islands. This means it is endemic to these islands, found nowhere else in the world!
Otton frogs love living in warm, wet places like subtropical forests and freshwater marshes. Sadly, these amazing frogs are now endangered. Their homes are disappearing because of deforestation, and they are also hunted by mongooses, which were brought to the islands by humans. Otton frogs usually live for about 7 years, which is shorter than many other frogs that can live for 10 to 12 years. Because they live on isolated islands, many things make them endangered and give them a shorter life.
One of the most interesting things about the Otton frog is its special "pseudothumb" on its front legs. Only one other frog, Babina holsti, has this unique feature!
What Makes Otton Frogs Special?
The Otton frog has a very unusual secret weapon! It's sometimes called the 'wolverine frog' because it has hidden, retractable claws. These sharp claws can shoot out from under their thumbs, just like a wolverine's claws. Both male and female Otton frogs have these claws, but the males usually have longer ones.
Besides the claws, Otton frogs also have a special thumb-like structure called a pseudothumb on their front legs. This makes it look like they have five fingers instead of four. This pseudothumb is not a real thumb, but it helps the Otton frog protect itself from predators. It's a great defense tool!
How Otton Frogs Behave
These rare frogs use their amazing switch-blade claws for two main reasons: fighting and mating. Even though both male and female frogs have claws, it seems that only the males use them during mating. They might use them to hold onto the female tightly during this time.
When two male Otton frogs fight, they wrestle each other. They grab on until they are in a tight embrace. Then, they use their retractable spikes to poke their opponent. It's a tough way to settle a disagreement!
