Pristimantis simoterus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pristimantis simoterus |
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The Pristimantis simoterus is a type of frog that belongs to the Strabomantidae family. It's also known as the Albania robber frog. This special frog lives only in Colombia, mainly in the central mountain range called the Cordillera Central. You can find it in the areas of Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío, and Tolima Department. Its scientific name, simoterus, comes from a Greek word meaning "snub-nosed," which describes its short snout.
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What Does the Albania Robber Frog Look Like?
These frogs are not very big. Adult male frogs are about 2.6 to 3.3 centimeters long. Female frogs are a bit larger, measuring about 3.1 to 3.9 centimeters. This measurement is taken from their snout (nose) to their vent (bottom).
Body Features
The Albania robber frog has a short, rounded snout. It also has a clear tympanum, which is like an eardrum, on the side of its head. The skin on its back, called the dorsum, has large, flat bumps that look like warts. The bumps on its sides are smaller.
Hands and Feet
Its fingers and toes have special sticky pads called discs. These discs help the frog grip surfaces. Its toes also have noticeable fringes along the sides.
Colors and Markings
The color of these frogs can vary a lot. They might be lime-green, golden-brown, reddish-brown, gray, or almost black. They usually have a few brown or black marks on their bodies.
Male frogs often have a yellow chin and a reddish vocal sac. This sac inflates when they call. Female frogs, on the other hand, have a rufous brown throat and belly. The frog's eyes have a deep copper color with black specks and a reddish line across them.
How Do They Communicate?
Male Albania robber frogs make a soft, whistling sound. This sound is their advertisement call, which they use to attract females. They usually repeat this whistle.
Where Do Albania Robber Frogs Live?
The Pristimantis simoterus lives in high-altitude areas in Colombia. You can find them in places called páramo and subpáramo, which are special grasslands above the tree line. They also live in cloud forests. These habitats are found at elevations from about 2,672 to 4,350 meters above sea level.
Daily Life
These frogs are active at night. During the night, male frogs call out while sitting on the ground among grasses and small bushes. In the daytime, they hide. You might find them on grassy plants or under logs and rocks. They can even stay active when the temperature is almost freezing!
Habitat Challenges
Sometimes, these frogs can be found in pasturelands, but this is not their favorite place to live. Their natural homes are being lost because of human activities. Farmers who own small pieces of land let their livestock graze there. They also grow crops in these areas. This leads to habitat loss for the frogs.
Conservation Efforts
Even though they face challenges, the Albania robber frog is a common and adaptable species. This means they can adjust to changes in their environment. They are very abundant in the Los Nevados National Natural Park. This park helps protect their habitat and ensures these unique frogs continue to thrive.
