Petropedetes parkeri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Petropedetes parkeri |
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Petropedetes parkeri is a type of frog that belongs to the Petropedetidae family. People often call it Parker's water frog or Parker's torrent frog. This frog lives in parts of western Cameroon and eastern Nigeria. Scientists are not completely sure if it also lives in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, as those frogs might be a different species called Petropedetes euskircheni. The frog was named after Hampton Wildman Parker, a British scientist who studied animals, especially reptiles and amphibians, at the Natural History Museum, London.
What Does Parker's Water Frog Look Like?
Adult male frogs of this species are usually between 38 and 74 millimeters (about 1.5 to 2.9 inches) long. Adult females are a bit smaller, measuring 45 to 61 millimeters (about 1.8 to 2.4 inches). This measurement is taken from the tip of their nose to the end of their backbone.
These frogs have a strong, sturdy body. They have a clear eardrum, called a tympanum, which is usually bigger than their eye if they are male. For female frogs, the eardrum is always smaller than their eye. Their snout (nose area) is short and rounded.
Their fingers are thin, and their toes have small amounts of webbing between them. The back and sides of the frog are usually olive green or brownish. They have blurry, dark olive-brown spots that look like marble patterns.
The throat of the frog is a dull whitish color, and its belly is whitish and slightly see-through. Their upper and lower legs have large, dark spots. These spots are separated by thin, bright-colored stripes that go across the leg. The frog's eye has a golden center, with shades of white and green around it.
Where Does Parker's Water Frog Live?
It's a bit tricky to know everything about where Petropedetes parkeri lives because it can be hard for scientists to tell it apart from similar frog species.
However, we do know that all confirmed sightings of this frog have been in areas below 1,000 meters (about 3,280 feet) above sea level. This frog seems to prefer living in forests.
During the time of year when they lay eggs and have babies, adult frogs gather on wet, rocky surfaces near fast-flowing streams or small rivers, which are called torrents. The female frogs lay their eggs on stones that are in the "splash zone." This is the area where water from the torrent splashes onto the rocks.
Protecting Parker's Water Frog
Sadly, this frog might be losing some of its natural home, which is called habitat loss. This happens when forests are cut down or changed by humans.
Good news! Petropedetes parkeri can be found in the Korup National Park in Cameroon. National parks help protect animals and their homes, which is important for the future of these frogs.
