Pristimantis simonbolivari facts for kids
Pristimantis simonbolivari is a special kind of frog that belongs to the family Strabomantidae. This frog is found only in Ecuador, a country in South America. It lives in a specific area called the Bolívar Province.
This frog is named after a very important historical figure, Simón Bolívar. Because of this, people sometimes call it the Simon's ground frog.
Quick facts for kids Pristimantis simonbolivari |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Contents
What Does This Frog Look Like?
These frogs are quite small. Adult male frogs are usually about 16 to 19 millimeters long. That's less than an inch, or about the length of your thumbnail! Female frogs are a bit larger, measuring about 18.5 to 22 millimeters.
The frog's face has a short snout. It has a visible tympanum, which is like an eardrum, but it's not very clear. The tips of its fingers have small pads, which help it grip surfaces. Its toes also have small discs. This frog does not have webbed toes or fringes on the sides of its toes.
The color of these frogs can vary. Female frogs are usually dark brown, sometimes with a reddish tint. Male frogs are reddish-brown and might have darker spots. The belly of male frogs is orange, while females have a dark brown or black belly with lighter spots. Their eyes are gray with a brown stripe across the middle.
Where Does Simon's Ground Frog Live?
The Simon's ground frog lives in wet mountain forests. It also lives at the edges of these forests. These areas are quite high up, between 3,000 and 3,300 meters (about 9,800 to 10,800 feet) above sea level.
You can often find these frogs hiding in different places. They like to be in leaf litter on the forest floor. They also hide under rotting logs or under moss growing on logs. Sometimes, they are found under rocks. In the places where they live, there are usually many of them.
Why Is This Frog Important?
The Simon's ground frog is facing some challenges. Its home, the humid mountain forest, is being lost. This happens because people are clearing land for farming. They also cut down trees for wood. These activities destroy the places where the frogs live and find food.
Because of these threats, the frog's population could shrink. Protecting these forests is important to help the Simon's ground frog survive.
Who Was Simón Bolívar?
The frog Pristimantis simonbolivari is named after Simón Bolívar. He was a very important leader in South American history. Bolívar was a military and political leader. He played a key role in the fight for independence from Spain for several countries. These countries included Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama. He is often called "The Liberator" because he helped free these nations.
