Phrynopus montium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phrynopus montium |
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The Phrynopus montium, also known as the Cascas Andes frog, is a small frog that belongs to the family Strabomantidae. This special frog lives only in Peru. It has been found in just two places near Cascas in the Junín Region.
One place is called "Cascas near Huasahuasi," where the first frogs were found in 1936. The other spot is south of Hacienda Cascas, discovered in 2014. Other frogs found in different areas, like the Pasco and Huánuco Regions, were actually different species: Phrynopus kotosh and Phrynopus oblivius.
What Does the Cascas Andes Frog Look Like?
The first frogs found were between 21 and 29 millimeters long. That's about the size of a large paperclip! Scientists did not see these frogs alive at first.
Later, in 2014, two female frogs were found. They were 21 and 26 millimeters long from their snout (nose) to their vent (tail end). Their snout is round. They have a clear, curved ridge between their eyes and nostrils, called a canthus rostralis.
These frogs do not have a visible eardrum, which is called a tympanum. Their skin on their back and sides has small, bumpy spots called tubercles. When alive, their back is a light grayish-brown color. They have a thin, pale stripe down the middle of their back. You might also see a few small, pale yellow spots on their sides. Their belly is light gray. Their eyes have a bronze color with tiny black lines, like a net.
Where Does the Cascas Andes Frog Live?
We know more about where the frogs found in 2014 lived. These two frogs were found hiding under rocks. This area was open, with some scattered bushes. It also had Sphagnum moss and tall bunchgrass, like Stipa plants.
They were found very high up, at about 3,493 meters (or 11,460 feet) above sea level. This is higher than many mountains! The frog might also live in the montane forest (mountain forest) that is close to this area.
Why is the Cascas Andes Frog Endangered?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) looked at the Phrynopus montium in 2004. They decided it was an "endangered" species. This means there are not many of these frogs left, and they are at risk of disappearing forever.
Since 2004, we have learned more about where these frogs live. However, this frog is not found in any protected areas. A lot of the places where it could live have already been turned into farms. To help these frogs survive, people need to stop changing their natural homes into farmland. Protecting their habitat is very important for their future.
