Pristimantis supernatis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pristimantis supernatis |
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The Pristimantis supernatis is a type of frog. It belongs to a family of frogs called Strabomantidae. People also call it the El Carmelo robber frog.
This frog lives in the Central Mountain Range in Colombia. You can find it from a place called Nevado del Huila down to the Colombian Massif. It also lives in the Carchi Province in northern Ecuador. Some reports say it lives further north in Antioquia. However, other experts think those frogs are a different species, Pristimantis permixtus.
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What Does the El Carmelo Robber Frog Look Like?
Size and Shape
Adult male frogs are about 19 to 30 millimeters (0.7 to 1.2 inches) long. Adult female frogs are bigger, measuring 31 to 41 millimeters (1.2 to 1.6 inches) long. This measurement is from their snout (nose) to their vent (bottom).
The frog's head is a bit narrower than its body. Its snout looks pointed when you view it from above. From the side, the snout looks rounded.
Ears and Digits
The frog has a clear tympanum, which is like its eardrum. A thick fold of skin above it hides the top edge of the eardrum.
Its fingers have small fringes on the sides. They also have wide, flat discs at the tips. The toes have only slight fringes. But their discs are about the same size as the finger discs. These frogs do not have webbing between their toes.
Skin and Color
The frog's back, called the dorsum, feels smooth. It only has a few small bumps near its rear.
The color of its back can be tan, brown, or almost black. Some frogs have a yellow or orange stripe down their back. This stripe often has black edges. You might also see brown or black patterns on their skin. These can look like a net (reticulation) or small spots (flecks).
The frog's lips have a cream-colored stripe. Its belly and underside are usually cream-colored. Sometimes, they might have a pinkish tint.
Where Do El Carmelo Robber Frogs Live?
Habitat and Environment
Pristimantis supernatis frogs live in special places. These include cloud forests, sub-páramos, and páramo areas. These are high-altitude environments. They live at elevations from 2,280 to 3,500 meters (7,480 to 11,480 feet) above sea level.
You can find these frogs in different spots. Some have been seen hiding under rocks and logs. Others are found in tall grass. They also live inside bromeliads (plants that grow on trees). You might also spot them in leaf litter on the ground. Sometimes, they even climb into plants up to three meters (10 feet) above the ground.
These frogs are nocturnal. This means they are active mostly at night.
Protecting Their Home
The El Carmelo robber frog faces threats to its home. Its habitat is shrinking due to habitat loss. This happens because of logging (cutting down trees). It also happens because of agricultural development. This includes raising livestock (farm animals) and growing illegal crops.
Luckily, these frogs live in protected areas. They can be found in the Nevado del Huila and Puracé National Natural Parks. These parks help keep their homes safe.
