Rainforest rocket frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rainforest rocket frog |
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| Silverstoneia flotator in Panama | |
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Phyllobates flotator Dunn, 1931 |
The Silverstoneia flotator, also known as the rainforest rocket frog, is a small frog that lives on land. It is active during the day. You can find this frog in the wet, low-lying areas of Costa Rica and Panama. This frog is quite common. Because of this, the IUCN says it is a species of "Least Concern". This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing. Scientists are still studying this frog. They think there might be more than one species hiding under this single name.
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The Rainforest Rocket Frog
The rainforest rocket frog gets its name because it is very fast. It can quickly jump away from danger. This frog is a terrestrial animal. This means it spends most of its life on the ground, not in water or trees. It is also a diurnal animal. This means it is active during the day, hunting for food and moving around. Many frogs are active at night, so being diurnal makes this frog special.
Where Does It Live?
The rainforest rocket frog lives in warm, wet places. These places are called humid lowlands. You can find them in the dense rainforests of Costa Rica and Panama. They like areas with lots of plants and moisture. These frogs often live near streams or other small bodies of water. This helps them stay hydrated and find food. Their habitat is full of insects and other small creatures they like to eat.
What Does It Eat?
Like many frogs, the rainforest rocket frog is a carnivore. It mainly eats small insects and other tiny invertebrates. These include ants, termites, and small spiders. They use their long, sticky tongues to catch their prey. They are important for controlling insect populations in their rainforest homes.
Life Cycle of the Rocket Frog
The life cycle of the rainforest rocket frog is similar to other frogs. It starts with eggs. The female frog lays her eggs, often in moist places on land. After a while, the eggs hatch into tadpoles. Tadpoles live in water and breathe with gills. They look like tiny fish.
As tadpoles grow, they start to change. This change is called metamorphosis. They grow legs, their tails shrink, and they develop lungs to breathe air. Eventually, they become small froglets. These young frogs then leave the water and begin their life on land. They will grow into adult frogs and continue the cycle.
Images for kids
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Silverstoneia flotator in Panama
