Rio Cosnipata robber frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rio Cosnipata robber frog |
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The Pristimantis cosnipatae, also known as the Rio Cosnipata robber frog, is a type of frog. It belongs to the Strabomantidae family. This special frog lives only in the Cusco Department in Peru. People believe it can only be found in the Cosñipata Valley. Its scientific name, cosnipatae, comes from this valley. This frog was last seen in 1999. Because of this, it is now considered "critically endangered", meaning it's at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
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What Does the Rio Cosnipata Robber Frog Look Like?
The Rio Cosnipata robber frog is a small, strong frog. Adult male frogs are about 21.8 to 29.5 millimeters long. That's about the size of a small paperclip!
Body Features
Its head is longer than it is wide. The frog's snout, or nose area, is long and narrow. It has a clear tympanum, which is like an eardrum on the side of its head.
The front legs are short and strong. The back legs are also strong, but they are a bit longer. Its fingers and toes have special edges called lateral fringes. They also have wide, flat tips called discs.
Skin and Eye Color
The frog's back, called the dorsum, feels finely bumpy. It can be grayish-tan or reddish-brown. It often has dark brown patterns. The frog's iris, the colored part of its eye, is bronze. It also has a red stripe going across the middle of its eye.
Smallest Frog?
Some people once thought the Rio Cosnipata robber frog was the smallest frog in the world. This was before 2012. However, a different frog, Paedophryne amauensis, was discovered then. It is much smaller. So, the Rio Cosnipata robber frog is not actually the smallest.
Frog Calls
Male Rio Cosnipata robber frogs make a soft sound. It is called an "advertisement call." It sounds like a gentle "wraank." This call helps them find other frogs.
Where Does the Rio Cosnipata Robber Frog Live?
This frog's natural habitat is a special type of forest. It lives in tall submontane and montane cloud forests. These forests are high up, between 1,580 and 1,700 meters above sea level.
Forest Features
Cloud forests are often covered in mist or clouds. They have many tree ferns and bromeliads. The ground is rich with mosses and ferns. This creates a perfect home for the frog.
Why Is This Frog Endangered?
The Rio Cosnipata robber frog was last seen in 1999. Scientists have looked for it many times since then. The latest search was in 2016, but they still could not find it.
Possible Threats
One possible reason for its disappearance is a disease. This disease is called chytridiomycosis. It is a serious fungal infection that affects many frogs and amphibians around the world.
Protection Efforts
A part of the area where this frog lives is inside the Manú National Park. This park offers good protection for animals. If the frog is still alive, this park could help keep it safe. Scientists are still working to understand why this special frog is so hard to find.
