Tanzania screeching frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tanzania screeching frog |
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The Arthroleptis tanneri, also known as the Tanzania screeching frog or Tanner's squeaker, is a type of frog. It belongs to the Arthroleptidae family. This special frog lives only in the West Usambara Mountains in northeastern Tanzania. Other frogs that were once thought to be this species are actually different kinds.
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What's in a Name?
The frog's scientific name, tanneri, was given to honor Mr. John Tanner. He owned a tea farm in Mazumbai, which is where this frog was first found. The name recognizes his kindness and how much he helped scientists who were studying nature in Mazumbai.
What Does It Look Like?
Male Tanzania screeching frogs are about 3.4 centimeters (1.3 inches) long from their snout to their bottom. Females are larger, growing to about 5.1 centimeters (2 inches). The biggest ones can be up to 5.5 centimeters (2.2 inches) long, making them the largest of all Arthroleptis frogs.
This frog has a strong body. Its head is a bit wider than it is long. The front of its face is rounded when you look from above. It has clear eyes and a visible eardrum (tympanum). Its toes are long and thin, and they don't have webbing between them. The frog's skin is usually smooth, but young frogs might have small bumps on their back. The back of the frog is a dark reddish-brown color, often with darker markings down its spine. Its hands and feet are pinkish, especially underneath. The top part of its eye is pale gold.
The Tanzania screeching frog looks a lot like another frog called Arthroleptis affinis in its colors and shape. However, scientists have studied their DNA and found that they are not closely related.
Where It Lives and Why It Needs Help
The Tanzania screeching frog lives in montane forests, which are forests found on mountains. They live at high places, between 1,400 and 2,000 meters (about 4,600 to 6,500 feet) above sea level. These frogs like to live in the leaf litter on the forest floor. They have only been found in healthy, good-quality forests.
Like other Arthroleptis frogs, it's thought that these frogs don't have a tadpole stage that swims freely in water. Instead, their eggs likely develop directly into tiny frogs.
Sadly, the number of these frogs is decreasing. This is mainly because their habitat (the place where they live) is being lost or damaged. People are clearing forests for farming, cutting down trees for wood, and building new homes.
This frog lives in special protected areas like the Mazumbai, Baga II, and Shume-Magamba Forest Reserves. But even these places need more protection. In 2015, a group called the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed this frog as "Endangered." This means it's at a high risk of disappearing forever because it lives in a small area and its home is still being destroyed.
Behavior and Life Cycle
Screeching frogs are known for a special behavior: they "scream" to scare away animals that might try to eat them. This scream can last up to 5 seconds and often sounds like a crying baby!
These frogs usually live in the northeastern mountains of West Usambara. They often look for food and find mates after it rains. On sunny days, you can find them active in the shaded areas under trees. During the breeding season, male frogs will even fight with other males to protect their territory and find a female to mate with.
