Tiger-striped tree frog facts for kids
The tiger-striped tree frog, also known as Callimedusa tomopterna, is a type of frog. It belongs to a group of frogs called Phyllomedusinae. You can find this frog in northern South America. It lives in the Upper Amazon Basin in countries like Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. It also lives in the Amazon parts of Brazil and the Guianas, from Venezuela to French Guiana. Scientists think there might be more than one type of tiger-striped tree frog.
This frog lives in trees in untouched tropical rainforests. During the wet season, you can often find it on trees near temporary or semi-temporary water pools. However, some have also been found in open areas and forests that flood, living on bushes and near water edges. They live at heights up to 500 m (1,600 ft) above sea level. The tiger-striped tree frog is not very common in most places where it lives. Its home can sometimes be lost due to human activities.
Life and Reproduction
Tiger-striped tree frogs are active at night. They sleep during the day. At night, male frogs make calls to talk to the females. They also look for food when it's dark.
These frogs have a special way of laying eggs. They place their eggs on green leaves that hang over water. When the eggs hatch, the tadpoles drop into the water below. They then grow and develop there. Sometimes, different types of frogs might share the same places to lay eggs. This can lead to males trying to mate with females of a different species. This behavior is common in many frogs from the tropics, including the tiger-striped tree frog. Studies have even shown that tiger-striped tree frogs have tried to mate with another frog species called the Lesser Treefrog (Dendropsophus minutus).
Threats to Eggs
In the central Amazon region, tree frogs like the Callimedusa tomopterna lay their eggs in jelly-like clumps on leaves and branches above water. Sadly, about 59% of these egg clumps are attacked by predators. Tiny flies called phorid flies are a major problem, causing many eggs to be lost. Other unknown predators also attack the eggs. Frog eggs are a good source of protein for many predators, especially insect larvae.
Threats to Adult Frogs
Adult tiger-striped tree frogs also face many dangers from predators. Studies have shown that snakes, like the cat-eyed snake (Leptodeira annulate), hunt these frogs. This shows that the special toxins the tiger-striped tree frogs can release for defense are not always enough to protect them from these snakes.
Quick facts for kids Tiger-striped tree frog |
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See also
In Spanish: Phyllomedusa tomopterna para niños
