Phrynobatrachus njiomock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phrynobatrachus njiomock |
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| Phrynobatrachus njiomock is only known from near Lake Oku, Cameroon |
The Phrynobatrachus njiomock is a special type of frog. It belongs to the family called Phrynobatrachidae. This frog lives only in Cameroon, a country in Africa. It has only been found near Lake Oku on Mount Oku.
Scientists have not seen this frog since 2010. This means it might already be extinct, which is very sad. Its scientific name, njiomock, means "eleventh" in the local Oku language. This name comes from an old reference to a frog found near Lake Oku in 1978. People also call it the Lake Oku puddle frog.
What Does the Lake Oku Puddle Frog Look Like?
Adult male frogs are about 28 to 35 millimeters (about 1 to 1.4 inches) long. Female frogs are a bit smaller, measuring 25 to 31 millimeters (about 1 to 1.2 inches).
- These frogs have a strong, compact body.
- Their back legs are very powerful, helping them jump.
- Their eardrum (called the tympanum) is hard to see.
- Their fingers do not have webbing, but they have small, clear discs on the tips.
- Their toes have some webbing and also small discs.
- The frog's back can be greyish-brown or dark brown.
- It often has lighter and darker spots, and sometimes reddish spots on its head and legs.
- Some frogs even have a light brown stripe down their back.
- Male frogs have light brown patterns on their throats.
Where Does the Lake Oku Puddle Frog Live?
The Phrynobatrachus njiomock lives in or near streams. These streams are found in mountain forests. They live at high places, between 2,219 and 2,400 meters (about 7,280 to 7,874 feet) above sea level. They also live near the edges of Lake Oku itself.
These frogs are mostly active during twilight (when the sun sets) and at night. They might lay their eggs in streams. The baby frogs, called Tadpoles, often grow up in the shallow parts of Lake Oku.
Why Is the Lake Oku Puddle Frog Endangered?
The Lake Oku puddle frog used to be very common around Lake Oku. Only the fully aquatic Xenopus longipes was more abundant. However, its numbers have dropped a lot in recent years. Even with monthly checks since 2010, no one has seen this frog.
Scientists think a frog disease might be causing this decline. Another danger is if fish are put into Lake Oku. Fish could eat the tadpoles or compete for food.
A big part of the frog's small home (about 14 square kilometers or 5.4 square miles) is in the Kilum-Ijim Plantlife Sanctuary. But even there, animals like cows graze, and people are expanding farms. These activities can harm the frog's habitat.
