Phrynobatrachus bequaerti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phrynobatrachus bequaerti |
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The Vissoke river frog (scientific name: Phrynobatrachus bequaerti) is a small frog. It belongs to the frog family called Phrynobatrachidae. You can find this special frog in the mountains. It lives in parts of north-western Burundi, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and western Rwanda.
The frog's scientific name, bequaerti, honors a Belgian scientist named Joseph Charles Bequaert. He was the one who first found this type of frog on Mount Vissoke.
What Does It Look Like?
These frogs are quite small. They measure about 12–25 mm (0.47–0.98 in) from their snout to their rear end. The biggest frogs are always females.
The Vissoke river frog has a rounded snout. It also has a very clear tympanum, which is like an eardrum on the side of its head. Its fingers do not have any webbing. However, its toes are about one-third webbed, which helps it move in water. The tips of its fingers and toes are slightly wider.
The frog's skin has many small, spiny bumps. Its back is usually a plain brown color. About half of these frogs have a chocolate-brown stripe down their back. The underside of the frog can be almost pure white. Some frogs might have a few brown spots or darker patterns on their belly.
Where Does It Live and How Is It Doing?
The Vissoke river frog lives in mountain areas. You can find it in forests, grasslands, and wet areas. It lives at high elevations, from about 2,400–3,000 m (7,900–9,800 ft) above sea level. These frogs likely lay their eggs in swamps.
This frog seems to be common in places where it can live. However, the number of these frogs appears to be going down. For example, only one frog was found in the Nyungwe Forest National Park during a study in 2010–2011.
The Vissoke river frog is losing its home. This is happening because of things like farms growing bigger and animals grazing. People are also cutting down trees and building more homes. This loss of habitat is a big problem for the frogs.
Luckily, this frog is found in some protected areas. It lives in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It also lives in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. These parks help protect the frog and its home.
