Pleurodema somuncurense facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pleurodema somuncurense |
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Telmatobius somuncurensis Cei, 1969 |
The Pleurodema somuncurense, also known as the Somuncura frog or El Rincon stream frog, is a special type of frog. In Spanish, it's called rana de Somuncura. This frog belongs to the Leptodactylidae family.
It is an endemic animal, which means it lives only in one specific place. For the Somuncura frog, that place is the Somuncura Plateau in Patagonia, Argentina.
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What Does the Somuncura Frog Look Like?
Female Somuncura frogs can grow up to about 38 millimeters (about 1.5 inches) long. They have a slim body with a small head. Their eyes are large, stick out, and are a beautiful gold color.
Their fingers and toes are long and thin. The toes are partly webbed, which helps them swim. Their skin feels smooth. The top of their head, body, and legs are a bright yellowish-brown.
You might see irregular dark spots on their back. They also have wavy dark lines on their sides and the back of their thighs. A special yellowish stripe runs down the middle of their head and part of their back.
The frog's belly is purplish-yellow with dark grey spots. The underside of their thighs is a purplish-rose color with light grey spots.
Where Do Somuncura Frogs Live?
The Somuncura frog is a fully aquatic animal. This means it lives all its life in water. It makes its home in geothermal springs and streams. Geothermal springs are natural hot springs where water is heated by the Earth's warmth.
Why Are Somuncura Frogs in Danger?
Sadly, the Somuncura frog is an endangered species. It faces several threats in its home.
- New Predators: One big problem is the rainbow trout. These fish were brought into the area by people. They eat the Somuncura frogs, which makes it harder for the frogs to survive.
- Losing Homes: The frogs are also losing their homes. This is called habitat loss. Sometimes, spring water is moved into canals for human use. This takes away the water the frogs need to live.
- Farming Impacts: Livestock farming also harms the frogs. Animals like cows can eat too much grass, which is called overgrazing. This can damage the frog's habitat. Chemicals from farming can also pollute the water.
- Fires: Grassland fires are sometimes used to help new grass grow for livestock. But these fires destroy places where frogs can hide. They also burn areas where frogs lay eggs and find food.
Scientists and conservationists are working to protect the Somuncura frog. They want to make sure this unique creature can survive for many years to come.
See also
In Spanish: Rana de Somuncurá para niños
