Paramo Frontino salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paramo Frontino salamander |
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The Paramo Frontino salamander (Bolitoglossa hypacra) is a special kind of salamander. It belongs to the Plethodontidae family, which are lungless salamanders. This salamander lives only in a specific part of Colombia. You can find it in the Western Andes Mountains. It was first found in an area called Páramo Frontino. It also lives near the Colibri del Sol Bird Reserve close to Urrao. Both of these places are in the Antioquia Department of Colombia.
What Does the Paramo Frontino Salamander Look Like?
Scientists first described this salamander using only one adult female. This special salamander was about 62 to 63 millimeters (about 2.5 inches) long from its snout to its tail base. Its tail was about 52 millimeters (about 2 inches) long.
The salamander's back is dark brown. Its belly is a bit lighter, more of a gray-brown color. It has small yellow spots on its back. There are also bigger, scattered yellow spots on its sides. Some of these spots even go onto its belly. Its tail has only a few spots. The salamander's hands and feet have very little webbing between the toes.
Where Does This Salamander Live and How Is It Protected?
The Paramo Frontino salamander lives in high mountain grasslands. These areas are very high up, between 3,600 and 3,700 meters (about 11,800 to 12,100 feet) above sea level. This is a cool and often misty environment.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has looked at this salamander. They say it is an endangered species. This means it is at a high risk of disappearing forever. One place where it lives, Páramo Frontino, might be inside the Paramillo National Natural Park. National parks help protect animals and their homes.
