Seychelles frogs facts for kids
The Sooglossidae are a special group of frogs known as Seychelles frogs. These unique amphibians are found in two main places: the beautiful Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean and parts of India.
All Seychelles frogs are quite small, usually growing to about 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) long. They are land frogs, meaning they don't spend all their time in water like some other frogs. Instead, they like to hide in damp places, such as under fallen leaves or inside cracks in rocks.
Quick facts for kids Seychelles frogs |
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Contents
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Seychelles frogs have interesting ways of reproducing that are different from many other frogs. Instead of laying their eggs in water, they lay them on moist ground.
Some species of Seychelles frogs don't have a tadpole stage at all! Their eggs hatch directly into tiny froglets that look like miniature versions of the adult frogs. This is quite unusual in the frog world.
Other species do have tadpoles, but they don't leave them in the water. Instead, the parent frog carries the tadpoles on its back. They stay there until they are ready to change into froglets, a process called metamorphosis. This special care helps protect the young frogs as they grow.
Types of Seychelles Frogs
The family Sooglossidae includes several different kinds of frogs. It was first described in 1931 by a scientist named Gladwyn Kingsley Noble.
There are two main groups, or genera, within this family:
Sooglossus Frogs
This group includes several species found mainly in the Seychelles Islands:
- Gardiner's Seychelles frog (S. gardineri)
- Seychelles palm frog (S. pipilodryas)
- Seychelles frog (S. sechellensis)
- Thomasset's frog (S. thomasseti)
Nasikabatrachus Frogs
This group has only one known species, which is found in India:
- Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis (also known as the purple frog)
See also
In Spanish: Ranas de las Seychelles para niños
