Shovelnose frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shovelnose frogs |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Suborder: | |
| Family: |
Hemisotidae
Cope, 1867
|
| Genus: |
Hemisus
Günther, 1859
|
| Species | |
|
Hemisus barotseensis |
|
 |
|
| Distribution of Hemisotidae (in black) | |
The shovelnose frogs are a special group of nine different species of frog. They all belong to one genus called Hemisus. These frogs are the only members of their family, which is named Hemisotidae. You can find them living in warm, wet areas of sub-Saharan Africa.
Contents
About Shovelnose Frogs
Shovelnose frogs are medium-sized. They can grow up to about 8 centimeters (3 inches) long. They have a round body and short legs. Their head is small and narrow. They also have a hard, upturned nose, which helps them dig.
Amazing Digging Habits
Shovelnose frogs are expert diggers. They spend most of their lives living underground. This is very different from many other frogs!
How They Dig
Most digging frogs use their back legs to dig backwards into the soil. But shovelnose frogs are unique. They dig head first, using their strong, shovel-like noses. This helps them tunnel through the ground.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
When it's time to lay eggs, the female frog digs a hole underground. She does this while she is with the male frog, a process called amplexus. She then lays her eggs in this underground nest.
The male frog leaves the nest through a tunnel. The female frog stays with her eggs to protect them. She waits for enough rain to fall. Once it rains, she uses her nose to dig a tunnel. This tunnel leads the tadpoles to a nearby water source.
The tadpoles then live in the water until they change into frogs. This change is called metamorphosis. Sometimes, these tadpoles can even survive out of water for a few days!
Types of Shovelnose Frogs
There are nine known species in the Hemisotidae family. Each one is a type of shovelnose frog.
- Hemisus barotseensis – Also known as the Mongu Shovelnose Frog.
- Hemisus brachydactylus – Also known as the Masiliwa Shovelnose Frog.
- Hemisus guineensis – Also known as the Guinea Shovelnose Frog.
- Hemisus guttatus – Also known as the Spotted Shovelnose Frog.
- Hemisus marmoratus – Also known as the Marbled Shovelnose Frog.
- Hemisus microscaphus – Also known as the Lake Zwei Shovelnose Frog.
- Hemisus olivaceus – Also known as the Olive Shovelnose Frog.
- Hemisus perreti – Also known as Perret's Shovelnose Frog.
- Hemisus wittei – Also known as Witte's Shovelnose Frog.
Some people even keep certain species of shovelnose frogs as pets.
Images for kids
-
A shovelnose frog from a museum collection.
-
Map showing where shovelnose frogs live (in black).
