Papurana garritor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Papurana garritor |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
The Eilogo Estate frog (Papurana garritor) is a type of frog found in New Guinea and the d'Entrecasteaux Islands. Scientists have seen this frog living in places as high as 1500 meters (about 4,921 feet) above sea level. This means it can live quite high up in the mountains!
Contents
What is the Eilogo Estate Frog?
The Eilogo Estate frog is a small amphibian. It belongs to a group of frogs called Papurana. These frogs are known for living in tropical areas. They are often found near water, like streams or ponds.
Where Does It Live?
This special frog lives on the large island of New Guinea. It also lives on the d'Entrecasteaux Islands. These islands are located off the eastern coast of New Guinea. This area is known for its lush rainforests and diverse wildlife. The frog prefers habitats that are moist and warm.
Its Home in New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second-largest island. It is divided into two main parts. The western part is called Western New Guinea. It is part of Indonesia. The eastern part is Papua New Guinea. The Eilogo Estate frog lives in both these regions. It thrives in the rainforests and mountain areas there.
The d'Entrecasteaux Islands
The d'Entrecasteaux Islands are a group of volcanic islands. They are part of Papua New Guinea. These islands have a lot of rain and thick forests. This makes them a perfect home for frogs. The frog has adapted well to these island environments.
What Does It Look Like?
Like many frogs, the Eilogo Estate frog has smooth, moist skin. Its color helps it blend into its surroundings. This is called camouflage. It helps the frog hide from predators. It also helps it sneak up on its prey. The exact size and color can vary. This depends on its age and where it lives.
How Big Is It?
Most frogs in the Papurana group are medium-sized. They are not too big and not too small. The Eilogo Estate frog likely fits this description. Its size helps it move easily through the undergrowth. It also allows it to hunt for small insects.
Life Cycle of the Eilogo Estate Frog
Frogs go through an amazing life cycle. It starts with eggs and ends with an adult frog. This process is called metamorphosis.
From Egg to Tadpole
Female Eilogo Estate frogs lay their eggs in water. This could be a pond, a slow-moving stream, or even a puddle. The eggs are usually laid in a jelly-like mass. After a while, the eggs hatch into tiny tadpoles. Tadpoles look more like fish than frogs. They have gills to breathe underwater. They also have tails to swim.
Tadpole to Froglet
Tadpoles spend their time eating and growing. They mostly eat algae and tiny plants. As they grow, they start to change. First, their back legs appear. Then, their front legs grow. Their tails start to shrink. They also develop lungs. This lets them breathe air. At this stage, they are called froglets. They can now live both in water and on land.
Adult Frog
Finally, the froglet's tail disappears completely. It becomes an adult frog. The adult Eilogo Estate frog lives mostly on land. However, it still needs to stay near water. This is important for keeping its skin moist. It also needs water for reproduction. Adult frogs eat insects and other small creatures.
What Does It Eat?
The Eilogo Estate frog is a carnivore. This means it eats other animals. Like most frogs, it has a long, sticky tongue. It uses this tongue to catch its food.
Frog Diet
Its diet mainly consists of insects. It might eat flies, mosquitoes, beetles, and spiders. It waits patiently for prey to come near. Then, it quickly flicks out its tongue to catch it. This helps control insect populations in its habitat.
Conservation Status
The Eilogo Estate frog is currently listed as "Least Concern" (LC) by the IUCN Red List. This is good news! It means that scientists believe this frog is not in immediate danger of disappearing.
What "Least Concern" Means
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) studies species around the world. They give each species a status. "Least Concern" means the species is widespread. It also means its population is stable. This does not mean it is safe forever. It is still important to protect its habitat.
Protecting Frog Habitats
Even "Least Concern" species need protection. Their habitats can be threatened by deforestation. This is when forests are cut down. Pollution can also harm frogs. Protecting rainforests and clean water is key. This helps the Eilogo Estate frog and many other animals.
Discovery and Naming
The Eilogo Estate frog was first described by a scientist named Menzies in 1987. When a new species is found, scientists give it a scientific name. This name is unique to that species. It helps scientists around the world know exactly which animal they are talking about.
Scientific Name: Papurana garritor
The scientific name for the Eilogo Estate frog is Papurana garritor.
- Papurana is the name of its genus. A genus is a group of closely related species.
- garritor is the specific name for this frog.
These names are always written in italics.
See also
- Papurana garritor para niños (Information about the Eilogo Estate frog for kids in Spanish)
