Phrynobatrachus kinangopensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phrynobatrachus kinangopensis |
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The Kinangop river frog (scientific name: Phrynobatrachus kinangopensis) is a small frog that belongs to the Phrynobatrachidae family. This special frog lives only in the Kenyan Highlands, which are mountains found east of the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. Its name comes from Mount Kinangop, where it was first discovered. People also call it the Kinangop puddle frog.
What It Looks Like
This frog is quite small. Male frogs grow to about 19 millimeters long. Female frogs are a bit bigger, reaching up to 24 millimeters. This measurement is from their snout (nose) to their vent (tail end).
You can tell male and female frogs apart. Grown-up males have tiny, white bumps on their back half. Their throats also have a speckled, dotted pattern. The frogs' feet have webs between their toes, which helps them swim. They also have a dark stripe that goes from their nose to their eardrum. Sometimes, a shiny silver line runs along this dark stripe.
Where It Lives
The Kinangop river frog lives in the high lands of Kenya. You can find it in places like the Aberdare Mountains and Mount Kenya. It also lives near Nairobi. These frogs live at high elevations, from about 1,800 to 3,100 meters above sea level. This area includes the Kinangop Plateau.
Its Home and Why It Needs Help
The Kinangop river frog makes its home in mountain grasslands and forests. It especially likes temporary pools that fill up with rain. These pools are likely where the frogs lay their eggs and where their young grow.
This frog is quite rare. It might seem even rarer because surveys might not always happen at the best time of year. Sadly, the places where these frogs live are shrinking. This is because people are using more land for farming outside of national parks. Things like farm chemicals might also be a problem for the frogs.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) says this frog is a "Vulnerable" species. This means it faces a high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. Luckily, the Kinangop river frog lives in protected areas. These include the Aberdare National Park and Mount Kenya National Park. These parks help keep their homes safe.
