Santa Catarina leaf frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Catarina leaf frog |
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The Phrynomedusa appendiculata, also known as the Santa Catarina leaf frog, is a special type of frog. It belongs to a group of tree frogs called Phyllomedusinae.
This frog is only found in Brazil, specifically in the southern part of the Atlantic Forest. It's a very rare frog that lives in trees.
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A Frog in Danger
The Santa Catarina leaf frog is in big trouble. It is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. This means it's at a very high risk of disappearing forever. Scientists believe there are very few of these frogs left.
For a long time, after 1970, no one saw this frog. It was thought to be lost! But then, in late 2011, it was found again near Santo André in the state of São Paulo. This was the first time anyone had seen it in over 41 years!
Scientists are not completely sure why the frog almost disappeared. It might be because of a frog disease called chytridiomycosis. It could also be due to habitat loss. This happens when forests are cut down for farming or coal mining, and when the air gets polluted.
Where It Lives and How It Reproduces
This frog is an arboreal animal, meaning it lives in trees. It needs a healthy rainforest where the tree branches grow close together, forming a thick roof called a canopy. Scientists found these frogs on plants near water.
Female Santa Catarina leaf frogs lay their eggs on leaves that hang over water. When the tiny tadpoles hatch, they simply drop into the water below. Scientists have seen them lay eggs in dark-colored ponds and special lakes called oxbow lakes.
Protecting the Santa Catarina Leaf Frog
Scientists think there might be fewer than 50 of these frogs alive today. Even though some areas, like the Parque Estadual Nascentes do Paranapanema, seem like good homes for them, the frogs haven't been seen there.
There's also a worry that if more of these frogs are found, people might try to catch them illegally. Their unique colors and rarity could make them attractive to pet collectors. Other frogs in the Phrynomedusa group are sometimes sold as pets, both legally and illegally. Protecting their homes and keeping them safe from collectors are important steps to help this special frog survive.
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