Rhinella ceratophrys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rhinella ceratophrys |
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The Rhinella ceratophrys, also known as the horned toad, is a special kind of toad. It belongs to a group of animals called the Bufonidae family, which are known as "true toads." This toad gets its common name, "horned toad," from the pointy, horn-like bumps above its eyes.
You can find the horned toad living in the upper parts of the Amazon Basin, which is a huge area around the Amazon River in South America. It lives in warm, wet places like old and new tropical rainforests. Sadly, this amazing toad is facing a big problem: its home is shrinking because of deforestation, which is when forests are cut down.
Meet the Horned Toad
The horned toad is a fascinating amphibian. It was first described by a scientist named George Albert Boulenger in 1882. For a long time, it was known as Bufo ceratophrys, but scientists later moved it to the Rhinella group. This change helps us understand how different toads are related to each other.
Where Does It Live?
The horned toad has a wide range across several countries in South America. It lives in the upper Amazon Basin, which is a massive area known for its incredible biodiversity. You can find these toads in:
These toads prefer to live in lowland tropical rainforests. This means they like areas that are not too high up and are very warm and wet. They can be found in forests that have been around for a long time, as well as forests that are growing back after being cut down.
Facing Challenges: Habitat Loss
Even though the horned toad lives in a wide area, its future is not completely safe. The biggest threat to this species is habitat loss. This happens when the natural places where animals live are destroyed or changed.
The main reason for habitat loss for the horned toad is deforestation. People cut down rainforests for many reasons, like:
- Making space for farms
- Logging for wood
- Building new towns or roads
When the forests are cut down, the horned toads lose their homes, their food sources, and places to hide from predators. This makes it harder for them to survive and reproduce. Scientists are working to understand how many horned toads are left and what can be done to protect their rainforest homes.
See also
In Spanish: Sapo cornudo termitero para niños
