Spiny giant frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spiny giant frog |
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The spiny giant frog or Norton's robber frog (Eleutherodactylus nortoni) is a type of frog that belongs to the family Eleutherodactylidae. It was named after James W. Norton. He went on an expedition with Albert Schwartz in 1974. During this trip, he found the first frog of this species.
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Where the Spiny Giant Frog Lives
This special frog only lives on the island of Hispaniola. You can find it in a few mountain areas. These include the Massif de la Hotte, Massif de la Selle, and Sierra de Baoruco. This means it lives in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
What the Spiny Giant Frog Looks Like
Adult male spiny giant frogs are about 52 to 66 millimeters long. That's about the length of a few paperclips! Their skin is green with darker green spots. These spots are not regular and look a bit like diagonal lines on their sides.
Their front and back legs have roundish spots. The upper part of their back legs (thighs) has three stripes.
How Male Frogs Call
Male spiny giant frogs make a special sound to attract mates. Their call is a series of about five rising trills. A trill is a quick, vibrating sound. It ends with a sound that is almost like a whistle.
Home and Protection of the Spiny Giant Frog
The spiny giant frog lives in sinkhole caves. These caves are found in high-up forests with broadleaf trees. They also live in small parts of forests that are still left. These places are usually between 576 and 1515 meters above sea level. Male frogs often call from tall plants and rocks.
This frog used to be common in some areas. Now, it is quite rare. Scientists say it is "critically endangered". This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
Why the Spiny Giant Frog is in Danger
The biggest threat to these frogs is habitat loss. This happens when their forest homes are cut down. People cut trees for wood (logging) or to clear land for farming (agriculture).
The spiny giant frog lives in some national parks. These include Pic Macaya National Park and La Visite National Park in Haiti. It also lives in Sierra de Bahoruco National Park in the Dominican Republic. However, even in these protected areas, their homes are still being damaged.
See also
Learn more in Spanish: Eleutherodactylus nortoni para niños
