Petropedetes cameronensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Petropedetes cameronensis |
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| A drawing of the Cameroon water frog from when it was first discovered. | |
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Petropedetes obscurus Ahl, 1924 |
The Cameroon water frog (Petropedetes cameronensis) is a type of frog. It belongs to the Petropedetidae family. You can find this frog in parts of southeastern Nigeria, southwestern Cameroon, and on Bioko island in Equatorial Guinea. It is the main example for its group, called Petropedetes.
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What Does the Cameroon Water Frog Look Like?
The Cameroon water frog is a small frog with a strong body. Male frogs are about 2.7 to 3.5 centimeters long. Female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring about 3.4 to 4.9 centimeters. This measurement is taken from their snout (nose) to their vent (bottom).
This frog has a short snout. Its eardrum, called the tympanum, is very small and hard to see. It does not have a special bump on its eardrum like some other frogs. The frog's iris (the colored part of its eye) is golden. The ridge between its eye and snout, called the canthus rostralis, is sharp.
The frog's back, or dorsum, can be light or dark brown. It often has pale spots. Its skin can be bumpy, with larger bumps on its sides. It also has a few long bumps on its back. The frog's toes are about half-webbed.
Sounds and Tadpoles
Male Cameroon water frogs make a special sound to attract mates. Their call is a whistle or a trill. It is loud enough to be heard over the sound of flowing water.
The baby frogs, called tadpoles, have strong tails. This helps them jump on stones. Their tails are long and do not have a fin on the bottom. They only have a very thin fin on top.
Where Does the Cameroon Water Frog Live?
The Cameroon water frog lives near and in flowing water. You can find it on stones in fast-moving streams. It also lives in rapids and near waterfalls. These frogs usually live in low areas. However, they can sometimes be found as high as 1,400 meters (about 4,600 feet) above sea level.
The female frog lays her eggs on tree trunks or leaves. These spots are always close to wet rocks. The tadpoles live on rocks. This means they are "saxicolous," which means "rock-dwelling."
Conservation Status
The Cameroon water frog is a fairly common species. However, it faces some threats. Its home is being lost because of farming, logging, and growing human towns. These activities destroy the places where the frogs live.
This frog can be found in the Korup National Park in Cameroon. This park helps protect some of its habitat.
