Sphenophryne stenodactyla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sphenophryne stenodactyla |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Microhylidae |
| Genus: | Sphenophryne |
| Species: |
S. stenodactyla
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| Binomial name | |
| Sphenophryne stenodactyla (Zweifel, 2000)
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| Synonyms | |
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The Narrow-Fingered Frog (Sphenophryne stenodactyla) is a type of frog. It belongs to a group of frogs called Microhylidae. This special frog lives only in Papua New Guinea. You can find it high up in the New Guinea Highlands. It lives in places that are very high, from about 2,490 meters (8,170 feet) to 4,000 meters (13,120 feet) above sea level. Its name, stenodactyla, comes from two old Greek words. Stenos means "narrow," and dactylos means "finger" or "digit." So, its name tells us something about its narrow fingers and toes!
About the Narrow-Fingered Frog
Adult male Narrow-Fingered Frogs are about 22 to 31 millimeters long. That's about the size of a small paperclip! Female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring about 25 to 32 millimeters long. Their head is smaller than their round body. They have small eyes. The tympanum, which is like their eardrum, is hard to see.
Their back is a mix of two shades of brown. Sometimes, you can see lighter patches of color. Their color can change a lot from one frog to another, and also depending on where they live. Both their fingertips and toe tips are flat. They do not have any webbing between their fingers or toes.
Male frogs make different sounds to attract mates. Some people say their call sounds like a "woodeny croaking." Others describe it as a "soft chirping krrr, krrr" that sounds a bit like a cricket. Another way to describe their call is a single, short "enh" sound, repeated very quickly.
Where It Lives and How It's Doing
The Narrow-Fingered Frog lives in special places called alpine grasslands. These are high-up grassy areas where you can also find tree ferns. It is very common in these areas.
Right now, there are no big known dangers to this frog. However, big fires could be a problem for them in the future. Scientists keep an eye on these frogs to make sure they stay safe.
 | May Edward Chinn |
 | Rebecca Cole |
 | Alexa Canady |
 | Dorothy Lavinia Brown |
