Surinam horned frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Surinam horned frog |
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The Surinam horned frog (Ceratophrys cornuta), also called the Amazonian horned frog, is a large, bulky frog. It lives in the northern parts of South America. This frog can grow up to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) long. It has a very wide mouth and special horn-like bumps above its eyes.
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About the Surinam Horned Frog
The Surinam horned frog is a fascinating creature. It is known for its unusual appearance and its hunting skills. These frogs are often found in wet, tropical areas. They spend a lot of time hidden among leaves on the forest floor.
What Does It Look Like?
This frog is quite distinctive. It has a very wide mouth that takes up most of its head. This wide mouth helps it to swallow large animals. Above each eye, it has a pointy, horn-like bump. These "horns" are what give the frog its name. Its skin usually has patterns that help it hide. This camouflage makes it hard to spot among the fallen leaves.
Where Does It Live?
The Surinam horned frog lives in the northern areas of South America. You can find it in countries like Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname. It prefers damp places in rainforests. It often buries itself in the leaf litter or soft soil. This helps it stay hidden and ambush its prey.
What Does It Eat?
This frog is a skilled hunter. It waits quietly for its prey to come close. Its diet includes other frogs, fish, lizards, and even small mice. Its wide mouth allows it to eat animals that are almost as big as itself. It is known to be quite aggressive when hunting.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Female Surinam horned frogs can lay many eggs at once. They can lay up to 1,000 eggs during one breeding period. The female wraps these eggs around aquatic plants in the water.
When the tadpoles hatch, they are very active. They are known to attack each other soon after hatching. They will also attack tadpoles from other frog species. This aggressive behavior helps them compete for food.
Surinam Horned Frog vs. Ornate Horned Frog
For a while, scientists thought the Surinam horned frog was the same species as the Ceratophrys ornata, or Ornate horned frog. However, they are now known to be different. The Surinam horned frog lives in a different type of habitat. Also, these two species do not breed with each other in the wild. They can breed in captivity, but not in their natural homes. The Surinam horned frog has even been known to eat other types of horned frogs.
Gallery
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Ceratophrys cornuta
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Burying behaviour
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Ceratophrys cornuta
skeleton -
Ceratophrys cornuta
skeleton
See also
In Spanish: Escuerzo de Surinam para niños
