Pristimantis maculosus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pristimantis maculosus |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Strabomantidae |
| Genus: | Pristimantis |
| Subgenus: | Pristimantis |
| Species: |
P. maculosus
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| Binomial name | |
| Pristimantis maculosus (Lynch, 1991)
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| Synonyms | |
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The Pristimantis maculosus is a cool little frog. It belongs to a family of frogs called Strabomantidae. This frog is special because it's only found in Colombia, in a mountain range called the Central Mountains. Its name, maculosus, comes from a Latin word meaning "spotted." This is because it has light spots on parts of its body that are usually hidden. People also call it the spotted robber frog.
What Does the Spotted Robber Frog Look Like?
These frogs are quite small. Adult male frogs are about 18 to 19 millimeters long. That's less than an inch! Female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring about 24 to 26 millimeters. This measurement is taken from their snout (nose) to their vent (the opening at the end of their body).
Their head is a bit narrower than their body. The snout looks pointy from above but rounded from the side. They have clear ridges above their eyes and a fold of skin that partly covers their eardrum.
Their fingers and toes have special fleshy edges and round pads, like little suction cups. The pads on their toes are a bit smaller than those on their fingers. Their skin on their back has some small bumps.
The frog's back is usually a dark olive-brown or dark brown color with other brown patterns. Its belly can be bronze-brown or even black. The sides of its body and the hidden parts of its legs are black with bright white spots.
Where Does the Spotted Robber Frog Live?
The Pristimantis maculosus lives in thick, untouched forests. You can find them high up in the mountains, at elevations from about 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) to 2,900 meters (9,500 feet) above sea level.
These frogs like to hang out on leaves and branches, either high up or in the middle parts of the forest. Scientists first found them on low plants, about 0.3 meters (1 foot) off the ground, near streams.
Protecting This Rare Frog
The spotted robber frog is a very rare species. It has only been seen in one place since 2010. Its biggest threat is habitat loss, which means its forest home is disappearing. This happens because of deforestation, where trees are cut down for logging or to make space for farms.
Even though it's rare, there's hope! This frog has recently been found in the Río Blanco Forest Reserve. Its home also overlaps with the Selva de Florencia National Natural Park. These protected areas can help keep the spotted robber frog safe for the future.
 | Stephanie Wilson |
 | Charles Bolden |
 | Ronald McNair |
 | Frederick D. Gregory |
