Silver marsupial frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silver marsupial frog |
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| Gastrotheca plumbea | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hemiphractidae |
| Genus: | Gastrotheca |
| Species: |
G. plumbea
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| Binomial name | |
| Gastrotheca plumbea (Boulenger, 1882)
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The silver marsupial frog (Gastrotheca plumbea) is a special kind of frog. It lives only in the Andes mountains of northern and central Ecuador, a country in South America. This frog is known for its unique way of carrying its eggs, much like a kangaroo carries its baby in a pouch!
About the Silver Marsupial Frog
The silver marsupial frog gets its name from its skin, which can look a bit silvery. It's a member of the Hemiphractidae family, which includes many interesting frogs. This particular frog was first described by a scientist named George Albert Boulenger in 1882.
Where It Lives
This frog is found only in a specific part of the world, which means it is endemic to that area. You can find it on the Pacific side of the Andes mountains in northern and central Ecuador.
It loves to live in cloud forests. These are special forests high up in the mountains where clouds often cover the trees, making everything misty and wet. The silver marsupial frog also lives near the edges of these forests or in areas where the forest has been changed by people.
Its Daily Life
The silver marsupial frog is nocturnal, meaning it is most active at night. During the day, it rests and hides. It is also arboreal, which means it spends most of its time living in trees.
These frogs are often found living among bromeliads. Bromeliads are plants that grow on other plants, like trees, and they collect water in their leaves, creating tiny pools. These pools are perfect homes for small creatures, including frogs.
What Threatens It
Sadly, the silver marsupial frog is facing challenges. Its biggest threat is habitat loss. This happens when the forests where it lives are cut down or changed by human activities. When their homes disappear, it becomes very hard for these frogs to survive and find food or places to lay their eggs. Scientists and conservationists are working to protect these special frogs and their cloud forest homes.
See also
In Spanish: Rana marsupial bromelícola para niños
 | Aurelia Browder |
 | Nannie Helen Burroughs |
 | Michelle Alexander |
