Sanguirana igorota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sanguirana igorota |
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Sanguirana
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| Species: |
igorota
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Sanguirana igorota is a special kind of frog that belongs to the "true frog" family, called Ranidae. This frog lives only in one specific place: the Cordillera Central mountains on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. When an animal or plant lives only in one area, we say it is endemic to that place.
Scientists have studied Sanguirana igorota's family tree. It is closely related to another frog called Sanguirana luzonensis. For a while, some scientists even thought they were the same species! Another frog, S. tipanan, is also part of this group, and scientists are still learning about how they are all connected.
This unique frog also has a common name: Taylor's Igorot frog. It was named after Edward Harrison Taylor, the scientist who first described it in 1922. The "Igorot" part refers to the native people who live in the mountains where this frog is found.
What Sanguirana igorota Looks Like
These frogs have different sizes depending on if they are male or female. Adult male frogs are about 50 to 58 millimeters long. That's about 2 inches! Adult female frogs are larger, measuring about 68 to 82 millimeters long. This is roughly 2.7 to 3.2 inches.
Their snout, which is the front part of their head, looks somewhat square when you view it from above. They have a special ear drum called a tympanum, which can sometimes be see-through. You can also see moderate ridges on their back, running along their sides.
The skin on their back is usually an olive green color, decorated with bronze spots. Their belly, or venter, is yellow. If you look closely, you might see fine bumps on their back. The skin around their groin area also has small bumps. Interestingly, male Sanguirana igorota frogs do not have a vocal sac, which is what many frogs use to make loud calls.
Where Sanguirana igorota Lives and How We Protect It
Sanguirana igorota frogs like to live near cool streams and rivers. They are found in rainforests high up in the mountains. These frogs typically live at elevations between 850 and 950 meters above sea level. Some reports say they can be found even higher, from 800 to 1300 meters.
In places where the habitat is just right, you can find many of these frogs. They can even handle a little bit of disturbance to their home. It is believed that these frogs lay their eggs in the water, likely in the streams where they live.
Sadly, Sanguirana igorota is considered a vulnerable species. This means their numbers are decreasing, and they could become endangered. The biggest threat to these frogs is habitat loss. Their forest homes are being cut down, or deforested, to make space for farms or new buildings. Protecting their mountain rainforests is very important to help these unique frogs survive.
