Streambank froglet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Streambank froglet |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Crinia
|
| Species: |
riparia
|
The streambank froglet (Crinia riparia), also known as the Flinders Ranges froglet, is a tiny frog found in Australia. It lives on the ground and belongs to the Myobatrachidae family, which includes many Australian frogs. This small frog is quite common in the areas where it lives.
Contents
What Does the Streambank Froglet Look Like?
The streambank froglet is a very small frog. It usually grows to about 2.5 centimeters long. That's about the size of your thumbnail!
Colors and Patterns
These frogs can be many different colors. You might see them in shades of red, brown, tan, or even dull olive green. They have lots of different markings on their skin. Even frogs living close together can look very different from each other!
Their back (called the dorsal surface) can be smooth or bumpy. The underside of their body (called the ventral surface) is usually pale grey under the throat. From their front legs backwards, their belly is white with black spots and a rough texture.
Special Features
Unlike some other frogs, you can't easily see the streambank froglet's eardrum (called the tympanum). It's hidden, which is a unique feature for this little amphibian.
Where Do Streambank Froglets Live?
The streambank froglet lives only in a special part of South Australia. You can find them around the Flinders Ranges and Gammon Ranges National Parks.
They like to live near water. You'll often find them hiding under rocks in waterholes that are fed by springs. They also live in rocky pools within streambeds. These streambeds don't always have water, but they flow when it rains.
How Do Streambank Froglets Live?
These frogs have some amazing ways to survive in their environment. The areas where they live can have heavy rains and floods. This means their homes can sometimes turn into fast-flowing rivers!
Tadpole Survival
To survive these floods, the streambank froglet tadpoles are very special. They have mouths that work like suckers. This helps them stick to rocks. Their bodies are also flat and streamlined, like a tiny submarine. This shape helps them hold on tight, even when water rushes very fast through canyons.
Frog Calls
Male streambank froglets make a quiet sound to attract females. Their call is a soft 'creeeak-crek'. People often say it sounds like a creaking door hinge! It's so quiet, you might have to listen very carefully to hear it.
What Do They Eat?
Streambank froglets eat small insects. They usually eat insects that are much smaller compared to their own body size than what most other frogs eat.
See also
In Spanish: Crinia riparia para niños
