Pristimantis scolodiscus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pristimantis scolodiscus |
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The Pristimantis scolodiscus is a type of frog that belongs to the Strabomantidae family. You can find this unique frog living on the western side of the Andes mountains. Its home stretches across northern Ecuador, in areas like Esmeraldas and Carchi Province. It also lives in the Colombian Massif in southwestern Colombia, specifically in the Nariño Department. These frogs prefer to live at high elevations, usually between 1,200 and 1,780 meters (about 3,900 to 5,800 feet) above sea level.
What Does This Frog Look Like?
These frogs are quite small! Male Pristimantis scolodiscus frogs are typically about 17.6 to 20.4 millimeters long. Female frogs are a little bit bigger, measuring around 18.4 to 22.3 millimeters long. That's less than an inch for both!
Their backs are a bit bumpy and are usually a pale orange color. Sometimes, they have small brown spots. Their bellies are white. The frog's eyes have a pretty grayish-blue color. It's hard to see their eardrum, called a tympanum, because it's not very clear. Male frogs have special vocal sacks, which they use to make sounds.
One cool thing about this frog is its name! The third finger on its hand has a small, pointed bump on the tip. This is where the name scolodiscus comes from. In Greek, "skolos" means pointed, and "diskus" means disk. So, it literally means "pointed disk"!
Where Does This Frog Live and How Is It Protected?
Pristimantis scolodiscus frogs love to live in thick, untouched cloud forests. These forests are often misty and wet, providing the perfect home for them. These frogs are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night. You can usually spot them moving around on plants, about 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) above the ground. Sometimes, they are found near small streams.
Sadly, this frog species is facing some challenges. Their homes are shrinking because of habitat loss. This happens when forests are cleared for farming and other human activities. Another possible threat is a serious frog disease called chytridiomycosis, which is caused by a type of fungus.
Good news! This frog species is found in the La Planada National Reserve in Colombia. This reserve is a protected area, which helps keep the frogs safe. They might also live in the Reserva Ecológica Cotacachi-Cayapas in Ecuador, another important protected area.
