Sri Lanka tribal rock-frog facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sri Lanka tribal rock-frog
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Dicroglossidae
Genus:	Nannophrys
Species:	N. naeyakai
Binomial name
Nannophrys naeyakai Fernando, Wickramasinghe, and Rodirigo, 2007
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The Sri Lanka tribal rock-frog, also called Nannophrys naeyakai, is a special kind of frog. It belongs to the Dicroglossidae family. Scientists first officially described this frog as a new species in 2007.

This unique frog lives only in Sri Lanka. It has only been found in two specific places there: the Ampara and Monaragala District areas. You can tell N. naeyakai apart from other Nannophrys frogs by small bumps on its fourth toe. It also has a sharp bump on its lower jaw and tiny bumps on its palms. The name naeyakai comes from the "naeyaka" spirits. These are spirits of family members who have passed away, believed in by the Vedda people living where the frog was first found.

What Does the Sri Lanka Tribal Rock-Frog Look Like?

Adult male frogs are about 24 to 36 millimeters (1 to 1.4 inches) long. Female frogs are a bit bigger, measuring 32 to 44 millimeters (1.3 to 1.7 inches) from snout to vent.

The frog's head is flat and wider than it is long. Its snout, which is its nose area, is rounded. It has a clear eardrum that you can see. The tips of its fingers and toes are rounded, and it does not have any webbing between them.

The skin on the frog's back is a bit rough. It has bumpy spots, like warts, on its sides. However, its belly is smooth. The top of the frog is brown with yellow-white patterns that look like marble. Its legs have yellow-white stripes across them. The frog's belly is yellow-white and has no markings.

Where Does This Frog Live and How Is It Protected?

The Sri Lanka tribal rock-frog lives near streams that dry up during certain times of the year. These streams are found in rocky cracks on hillsides. The places where they live are between 200 and 620 meters (about 650 to 2,000 feet) above sea level.

The plants around their habitat include scattered trees. The ground is covered with grasses, especially a type called Cymbopogon. This frog is only active for a short time, usually from December to February. This is because the streams it lives in are seasonal and only have water during the rainy season. When it's not raining, the frog hides underground. These frogs are more active at night than during the day.

This frog species is quite common in the two places where it is known to live. However, scientists have looked for them on other hilltops in eastern Sri Lanka but have not found new groups.

The frog's home is at risk from changes in how land is used. For example, burning grasslands and cutting down trees can make the land hold less water. This then affects the small streams that these frogs need to survive. Luckily, this species is found in the Kokagala Forest Reserve, which helps protect its habitat.