Pseudophilautus steineri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pseudophilautus steineri |
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Philautus steineri Meegaskumbura & Manamendra-Arachchi, 2005 |
The Pseudophilautus steineri, also known as Steiner's shrub frog, is a special type of frog. It belongs to a family of frogs called Rhacophoridae.
This frog lives only in Sri Lanka, which means it is endemic to that country. You can find it in wet, tropical montane forests, which are forests found in mountains.
Sadly, Steiner's shrub frog is in danger. Its home is disappearing because of habitat loss. In 2020, the IUCN (a group that checks on animals) said this frog is an Endangered species. This means it is at high risk of becoming extinct.
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Where Steiner's Shrub Frog Lives
Steiner's Shrub Frog makes its home in the very high parts of the Knuckles Range in Sri Lanka. It likes places where the trees form a thick roof, called a canopy. You can find these frogs among fallen leaves, in bushes, and on smaller trees.
Male frogs often call out from branches that are about 1 to 10 feet (0.3 to 3 meters) above the ground. This is how they attract mates. These frogs have a special way of having babies called "direct development." This means their eggs hatch directly into tiny froglets, without going through a tadpole stage in water.
These frogs need their forest home to be healthy. They do not do well if their habitat is disturbed. They really need the tree canopy to stay alive.
About Steiner's Shrub Frog
Steiner's Shrub Frog is part of the Rhacophoridae family of frogs. The group of frogs it belongs to, Pseudophilautus, has many different kinds of shrub frogs. This frog is classified as an Amphibian and belongs to the order Anura, which includes all frogs and toads.
The scientific name Pseudophilautus comes from Greek words. "Pseudes" means "false," and "philaute" means "to be charmed." This name hints at the unique and charming features of these frogs. Scientists study their looks and genes to understand how they are related to other amphibians.
Why Steiner's Shrub Frog Is in Danger
Steiner's Shrub Frog faces many threats that put its future at risk.
Habitat Destruction
The Knuckles Mountain Forest Reserve (KMFR) is where Steiner's Shrub Frog lives. But this forest is in big trouble.
- Farms and Pollution: Many parts of the forest are being cleared for farms. People are growing crops like cardamom, which is a spice. The chemicals used on these farms can pollute the forest.
- Logging: Trees are cut down for tea and cardamom farms. Wood is also gathered for drying barns and for fuel in villages.
- Other Activities: Uncontrolled tourism, building new resorts, and forest fires started by people also harm the forest.
Climate Change
Changes in the climate are also a big problem for these frogs.
- Less Rain: The amount of rain in the region is going down, especially on the wet western slopes. This makes the area much drier.
- Warmer Weather: Temperatures are also going up.
- Forest Fires: Drier and warmer conditions mean more forest fires, which are not natural in rainforests.
These frogs need a moist forest to stay healthy and to have babies. A drier and warmer climate is a serious threat to them.
Forest Dieback
Another problem is "forest dieback." This is when large areas of trees die off. Scientists are still trying to figure out why this happens.
- Environmental Stress: This dying forest could harm amphibians and destroy their homes.
- Acid Rain: Some people think that high acid levels in mist and rain might be a risk to mountain plants and animals. However, we don't have direct proof that it harms these frogs yet. This is especially a concern for frogs that live in misty areas or have babies in water.
