Pristimantis lichenoides facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pristimantis lichenoides |
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| Pristimantis lichenoides is only known from Samaná in the Cordillera Central of Colombia. | |
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The Pristimantis lichenoides is a special kind of frog. It belongs to a family of frogs called Strabomantidae. This frog is only found in one country, Colombia. This means it is endemic to Colombia.
It lives near a place called Samaná in the Caldas Department. This area is on the eastern side of the Central Mountain Range in the Colombian Andes. The frog's name, lichenoides, comes from its colors. It looks a lot like lichens (small plant-like growths) that you see on rocks. It also likes to stick to rocks, just like lichens do!
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What Does the Lichen Frog Look Like?
These frogs are not very big. Adult male frogs are about 26 to 31 millimeters long. That's about 1 to 1.2 inches. Female frogs are a bit larger, measuring 34 to 42 millimeters long. This is about 1.3 to 1.6 inches. This measurement is taken from their nose to their bottom.
The frog's head is as wide as its body. Its snout, or nose area, looks round from above. But from the side, it looks a bit flat. It has a small ear drum, called a tympanum, which you can see. A thick fold of skin hides the top part of this ear drum.
Body Features and Skin
The fingers of this frog have small ridges along their sides. They also have round tips. Its toes have similar ridges that join together at the bottom. The tips of its toes are a little smaller than its fingertips. The skin on its back feels bumpy, like it has tiny grains.
Colors and Patterns
The Pristimantis lichenoides has amazing camouflage colors. Its back can be dark green or light olive green. It often has darker spots and blotches that look like rust or beige. The sides of its head have black marks. Its lips are a burnt yellow color with black stripes. The sides of its body are creamy yellow with brown patterns. Its throat is yellow, and its belly is light yellow to light brown. The belly also has brown or gray patterns.
Where Does the Lichen Frog Live?
The Pristimantis lichenoides lives in cloud forests. These are forests high up in the mountains, often covered in clouds. It lives at heights of 2,000 to 2,450 meters (about 6,560 to 8,040 feet) above sea level. This frog is very picky about where it lives. It is a habitat specialist. This means it needs a very specific type of home.
You can usually find these frogs on very wet rocks. They like rocks that are in fast-moving streams. Young frogs might also live in the plants right next to these streams. These frogs do not have a tadpole stage. Instead, their babies hatch directly into tiny frogs. This is called direct development.
Why Is This Frog Important?
The Pristimantis lichenoides is not a common frog. It is only known to live in a very small area. Scientists think this might be partly because not many people have looked for it. Sadly, this frog is in danger. Its home is being lost because people are cutting down trees for wood. They are also planting pine trees and clearing land for farms.
However, there is good news! This frog lives in a special protected place. It is found in the Selva de Florencia National Natural Park. This park helps keep the frog's habitat safe.
