Rhinella lindae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rhinella lindae |
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Rhamphophryne lindae Rivero and Castaño, 1990 |
The Rhinella lindae is a special kind of toad that belongs to the Bufonidae family. It's also known as the Murri beaked toad. This toad is found only in Colombia, a country in South America. It lives in a specific area called Murri, which is in the town of Frontino. It's also found in Las Orquídeas National Natural Park. Both of these places are on the western side of the Western Mountain Range in the Antioquia Department. The name lindae was given to this toad to honor an American scientist named Linda Trueb, who studies amphibians and reptiles.
What Does the Murri Beaked Toad Look Like?
The first female Murri beaked toad ever studied was about 62 millimeters (or about 2.4 inches) long from its snout (nose) to its vent (where waste leaves the body). Another toad, a male, was about 30 millimeters (or about 1.2 inches) long.
This toad has a long, pointed snout. The female has a part called the tympanic annulus, which is like a ring around its ear, but the eardrum itself isn't very clear. The male toad doesn't have this ear ring at all.
The toad also has special glands called parotoid glands, which are oval-shaped but flat and not very easy to see. Its back skin is covered with tiny bumps that even go onto its eyelids. Its fingers are about one-quarter webbed, meaning there's a little skin between them. Its toes, however, are very webbed, like a duck's foot.
The top of the toad's body is usually dark black or brown, with small spots and dots of light yellow or olive green. Its belly is yellow or olive green with brown or black spots. Its eyes are a coffee color.
Where It Lives and Why It Needs Help
The Murri beaked toad lives on the ground in wet, untouched forests near small rivers or streams. It can be found at high places, between 1,400 and 1,800 meters (about 4,600 to 5,900 feet) above sea level. People have found these toads hiding in fallen leaves on the forest floor, or sitting on rocks and low plants. Scientists don't know much yet about how these toads reproduce or lay their eggs.
This toad is quite rare, meaning there aren't many of them left. It's in danger because its home is being destroyed. This happens when forests are cut down for farming, raising animals, or illegal mining. Even in Las Orquídeas National Park, where some of these toads live, trees are still being cut down. Protecting these forests is very important to help the Murri beaked toad survive.
See also
- In Spanish: Rhinella lindae para niños
