Scaphiophryne boribory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scaphiophryne boribory |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Microhylidae |
| Subfamily: | Scaphiophryninae |
| Genus: | Scaphiophryne |
| Species: |
S. boribory
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| Binomial name | |
| Scaphiophryne boribory Vences, Raxworthy, Nussbaum, and Glaw, 2003
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The Scaphiophryne boribory is a special type of frog. It is part of the Microhylidae family. This frog lives only in eastern Madagascar. It has only been found near Fierenana.
What's in a Name?
The second part of the frog's name, boribory, comes from the Malagasy language. In Malagasy, "boribory" means "rounded". This name was chosen because the frog has a very round and stout body.
How to Spot a Scaphiophryne boribory
Adult male frogs are usually between 49 and 60 millimeters long. Female frogs are a bit smaller, from 47 to 59 millimeters. The frog's body is quite stout and round. Its head is wider than it is long. However, the head is not as wide as the body.
The frog's ears, called the tympanum, are not easy to see. Its arms are fairly thin. The back legs are short and strong. The tips of its fingers are very wide and flat. The tips of its toes are only slightly wide.
When the frog is preserved, its skin feels smooth. The skin often looks a bit loose or "baggy." The top of the frog is a bright green color. It has clear brown markings with black edges. The wide tips of its fingers and toes are a distinct reddish color. The frog's belly is black with white spots.
Scaphiophryne boribory looks a bit like two other frogs: Scaphiophryne marmorata and Scaphiophryne spinosa. However, Scaphiophryne boribory is larger. It also does not have small bumps on its skin when preserved. Plus, its reddish finger and toe tips help tell it apart.
Where It Lives and Why It Needs Help
This frog's natural habitat is in flooded forest areas. It prefers places with sandy ground. Scientists believe it lays its eggs in swamps. The frog lives at high altitudes. It has been found at about 950 meters or even between 1000 and 1200 meters above sea level.
The Scaphiophryne boribory is facing threats to its home. Its forest habitat is shrinking. This is due to farming, animals grazing, and cutting down trees for wood or charcoal. The spread of eucalyptus trees, which are not native, also harms its home. Growing human settlements also take away its habitat.
Another concern is that too many of these frogs might be collected. People sometimes collect them for the international pet trade. This could also affect their numbers in the wild. This frog is not currently found in any protected areas.
 | Calvin Brent |
 | Walter T. Bailey |
 | Martha Cassell Thompson |
 | Alberta Jeannette Cassell |
