Pristimantis caryophyllaceus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pristimantis caryophyllaceus |
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The Pristimantis caryophyllaceus, also known as the La Loma robber frog, is a small frog that belongs to the Strabomantidae family. You can find this frog in the forests of Costa Rica and Panama. Before 2010, some records from Colombia were thought to be this frog, but they are actually a different species called Pristimantis educatoris. However, scientists are still studying these frogs, so some sources might still say Pristimantis caryophyllaceus lives in Colombia.
This frog gets its nickname, the La Loma robber frog, from a place called La Loma. This spot is on a trail between Chiriquicito and Boquete in the Bocas del Toro Province of Panama. This is where the first frog of this type was found and described by scientists.
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What Does It Look Like?
Male La Loma robber frogs are quite small, growing up to 24 mm long from their snout to their rear. Females are a little bit bigger, reaching about 26 mm. It can be hard to see their eardrum.
Their skin color can be very different from one frog to another. Some are yellow, pinkish, brownish, greyish, or even dark green. They always have clear darker spots on their back. On some frogs, these spots might even form dark stripes across their body. Their belly is usually white, but sometimes it has some dark marks.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
These frogs lay their eggs on leaves or directly on the ground. After the eggs are laid, the female frog takes care of them. She covers the eggs with her body to protect them until they hatch.
Where Do They Live?
The La Loma robber frog lives in different types of forests. You can find them in wet lowland forests, moist forests, and rainforests that are a bit higher up in the mountains. They like to hide in the leaf litter on the forest floor or among low plants. They also live inside bromeliad plants, which are plants that grow on trees and collect water. These frogs are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night.
Protecting the La Loma Robber Frog
Unfortunately, the La Loma robber frog is facing some dangers. One big problem is habitat loss, which means their forest homes are being destroyed. They might also be threatened by a frog disease called chytridiomycosis, which affects amphibians around the world.
These frogs have disappeared from some lowland areas in Costa Rica. However, they are still common in other places and seem to be recovering in some areas. Protecting their forest homes is very important to help these unique frogs survive.
See also
In Spanish: Pristimantis caryophyllaceus para niños
