The Fort Randolph robber frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Fort Randolph robber frog |
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The Pristimantis gaigei, also known as the Fort Randolph robber frog or Gaige's rain frog, is a type of frog. It belongs to the family Strabomantidae. You can find this frog in the lowlands of Central and South America. It lives in places like south-eastern Costa Rica, eastern Panama, and central Colombia. It is very common in Colombia, especially west of the Eastern Mountain Range.
This frog usually lives in wet lowland forests that have not been touched by humans. But it can also live in forests that have grown back after being cut down. It is a nocturnal animal, meaning it is active at night. During the day, it hides under leaves and other things on the forest floor. The frog was named after Helen Beulah Thompson Gaige, an American scientist who studied reptiles and amphibians.
What it Looks Like
Male Gaige's rain frogs can grow to about 30 mm (1.2 inches) long from their snout to their bottom. Females are a bit bigger, reaching about 43 mm (1.7 inches) long.
This frog is special because it uses something called mimicry. This means it looks like a more dangerous animal to trick predators. The Gaige's rain frog has red, orange, or gold stripes on its back. These stripes make it look like poison dart frogs, which are very toxic. Some of these rain frogs even live in the same areas as the poison dart frogs, like Phyllobates aurotaenia and Phyllobates lugubris. This helps the rain frog stay safe from animals that might want to eat it.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
When these frogs mate, the male holds onto the female's body near her front legs. This is called axillary amplexus. Scientists have not heard any mating calls from the male of this species. This suggests that the males might not make any calls to attract females.
In captivity, female frogs have laid between 22 and 37 eggs at a time. Each egg is about 5 mm (0.2 inches) wide. The frogs usually bury their eggs in the ground or lay them under something that offers cover. The eggs hatch after 28 to 39 days.
Unlike many frogs, these frogs do not have a tadpole stage. This is called "direct development." When the eggs hatch, tiny froglets come out. They look like small versions of the adult frogs and are about 5 mm (0.2 inches) long.
See also
In Spanish: Pristimantis gaigei para niños
