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Pristimantis dorsopictus facts for kids

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Pristimantis dorsopictus
Pristimantis dorsopictus01.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Synonyms
  • Eleutherodactylus dorsopictus Rivero and Serna, 1988

The Pristimantis dorsopictus is a special kind of frog. It belongs to a family of frogs called Strabomantidae. This frog is endemic to Colombia. This means it can only be found naturally in Colombia and nowhere else in the world. Its home is in wet, tropical montane forests and high-up grasslands. Sadly, this frog is in danger because its habitat (its natural home) is being lost.

About the Pristimantis dorsopictus Frog

The Pristimantis dorsopictus is a small frog species. It was first described by scientists Rivero and Serna in 1988. These frogs are part of a very large group of frogs. This group is known for having many different species.

Where This Frog Lives

This unique frog lives in the beautiful country of Colombia. It prefers cool, moist places high up in the mountains.

  • Montane forests: These are forests that grow on the sides of mountains. They are often cloudy and wet.
  • High-altitude grasslands: These are grassy areas found at high elevations. They can be quite chilly.

These specific environments are very important for the frog's survival.

Why This Frog is Important

Every animal plays a role in its ecosystem. Frogs like the Pristimantis dorsopictus are important for several reasons:

  • They help control insect populations by eating them.
  • They are a food source for other animals, like birds and snakes.
  • They are also a good sign of how healthy an environment is. If frogs are struggling, it often means the environment is in trouble.

Threats to the Pristimantis dorsopictus

The biggest danger to this frog is habitat loss. This means the places where it lives are disappearing.

  • Forests are cut down for farming or building.
  • Grasslands are changed for other uses.
  • Pollution can also harm their homes.

When their habitat is gone, these frogs have nowhere to live or find food. This puts them at risk of disappearing forever. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) lists this frog as Vulnerable (VU). This means it faces a high risk of becoming extinct in the wild.

Images for kids

Pristimantis dorsopictus02
A Pristimantis dorsopictus frog on a leaf.
Pristimantis dorsopictus03
Another view of the Pristimantis dorsopictus frog.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Pristimantis dorsopictus para niños

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