Tachiramantis tayrona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tachiramantis tayrona |
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The Tachiramantis tayrona is a special kind of frog. It belongs to a group of frogs called Strabomantidae. This frog is only found in one place: the north-western part of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains in Colombia.
Its name, tayrona, comes from the ancient Tairona people who lived in that area long ago. Some scientists think this frog might have been the inspiration for the gold frog statues found at old archaeological sites there!
What Does This Frog Look Like?
Male Tachiramantis tayrona frogs are about 15 to 25 millimeters long. That's about the size of a small button! Female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring 23 to 30 millimeters.
- Head and Face: This frog's head is narrower than its body. The tip of its snout (nose) is pointy. It has a clear eardrum, called a tympanum, on the side of its head. Its face is dark brown.
- Skin and Color: The skin on its back (called the dorsum) can be smooth or slightly bumpy, with many small, short ridges. The frog is usually reddish-brown on top, with slightly darker sides.
- Belly and Throat: The throat area, where the vocal sac is (used for croaking), is a dirty yellow color. Its belly (called the venter) is a pale yellow-bronze color, mixed with grey.
- Eyes: The top part of its eye (the iris) is reddish-brown, and the bottom part is grey.
- Special Markings: Sometimes, these frogs have a dull cream or dull orange stripe running down their back.
- Fingers and Toes: All of its fingers have wider, padded tips. Its toes also have similar wide pads, or sometimes smaller ones.
Where Does This Frog Live?
The Tachiramantis tayrona frog lives in cloud forests and páramos. These are special types of forests and grasslands found high up in the mountains. You can find them at elevations from 1,300 to 2,700 meters above sea level.
These frogs often live inside or on bromeliad plants that grow on trees. Bromeliads are like natural cups that collect water. This is also where the frogs lay their eggs and where their babies grow up. Another animal, Savage's salamander, also shares this habitat with the Tachiramantis tayrona.
Protecting This Frog
Sadly, the Tachiramantis tayrona frog is facing threats. Its home is shrinking because of habitat loss. This happens when people clear land for farming, grow crops, use chemicals (fumigation) on their plants, or raise farm animals.
Good news! Part of the area where this frog lives is protected. It's located inside the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park. This park helps keep the frog's habitat safe.
See also
In Spanish: Pristimantis tayrona para niños
