Peppered tree frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peppered tree frog |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ranoidea
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| Species: |
piperata
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| This is where this frog used to live. | |
| Synonyms | |
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The peppered tree frog is a small frog from Australia. People also call it the Black Creek tree frog or speckled tree frog. Scientists first found it in New South Wales, on the New England Tableland. This frog lives in places that are between 800 and 1120 metres above sea level.
Why This Frog Is Special
The peppered tree frog is in great danger of dying out. It might even be gone forever. Scientists have not seen this frog for sure since 1973. In the 1990s, some people thought they saw or heard this frog. But the sounds they heard were a bit different.
Scientists decided they needed to study the frog's DNA and genes. This helps them understand how different frogs are related. It also helps them tell if a frog is a new species or just a relative. The peppered tree frog has relatives like the Ranoidea barringtonensis, Ranoidea pearsoniana, and Ranoidea phyllochroa.
Why It Is Disappearing
Scientists are not completely sure why the peppered tree frog is disappearing. But they have some ideas.
Many of the streams where these frogs used to live have changed a lot. People changed these streams to let animals graze there. This means the streams are not as good for the frogs anymore.
Also, some new animals have come into these streams. These are called invasive species. One example is the mosquitofish. This fish eats the tiny tadpoles of the peppered tree frog. This makes it harder for young frogs to grow up and survive.
