Pristimantis racemus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pristimantis racemus |
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Pristimantis racemus is a special kind of frog that lives in Colombia. It belongs to a family of frogs called Strabomantidae. People often call it the Las Hermosas robber frog. This frog is only found in Colombia, especially in the cool, high mountain areas called páramos. You can find it in the Central Mountain Range, near the borders of Valle del Cauca and Tolima Department, and up to the Quindío Department. Its name, racemus, comes from a Latin word meaning "a bunch of berries." This is because its skin looks a bit lumpy, like berries!
What Does the Las Hermosas Robber Frog Look Like?
These frogs are not very big. Adult male frogs are about 25 to 30 millimeters (1 to 1.2 inches) long. Female frogs are a bit larger, measuring 30 to 38 millimeters (1.2 to 1.5 inches) long. This measurement is taken from their snout (nose) to their vent (where waste leaves the body).
The female frog's head is a little narrower than her body. But in males and young frogs, the head is about the same width as the body. Their snout is usually rounded.
You might notice a swollen fold of skin above their ear drum, called the tympanum. This fold hides the top part of the ear drum. They also have a clear ridge, called the canthus rostralis, that runs from their eye to their snout.
The skin on the sides of their back has large, flat bumps, like warts. The skin in the middle of their back has smaller bumps. Their fingers and toes have special wide pads and fringes on the sides, which help them grip surfaces.
When these frogs are preserved, their back, called the dorsum, looks reddish-brown. It has dark brown patterns like a bar between their eyes, curved marks on their shoulders, and scattered spots. Their throat is brown with darker spots. Their belly, called the venter, is a dull white with brown spots and a net-like pattern.
Where Does This Frog Live?
The Las Hermosas robber frog lives in páramos, which are unique high-altitude grasslands and shrublands found in the Andes mountains. They live at elevations between 3,000 and 3,570 meters (about 9,800 to 11,700 feet) above sea level. You can often find them among grasses or in areas with sparse plants.
Life Cycle and Conservation
Unlike many frogs that lay eggs in water, Pristimantis racemus has a special way of developing. Their eggs hatch directly into tiny froglets, without going through a tadpole stage in water. This is called "direct development." The female frog might even "brood" or protect her eggs.
This frog is quite common and doesn't seem to be facing any major threats right now. Its home range also includes several protected areas, which helps keep them safe.
