Variable reed frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Variable reed frog |
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Ixalus concolor Hallowell, 1844 |
The variable reed frog, also called Hyperolius concolor, is a type of frog. It belongs to the Hyperoliidae family. You can find this frog in parts of West Africa and Middle Africa. It's also sometimes known as Hallowell's sedge frog.
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Where Does the Variable Reed Frog Live?
This amazing frog lives in many countries in Africa. You can find Hyperolius concolor in places like eastern Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. It also lives in Nigeria and western Cameroon.
Naming the Variable Reed Frog
The Hyperolius concolor frog was first described in 1844. A scientist named Edward Hallowell gave it its name. He studied frogs collected from Liberia. Over time, scientists realized that many frogs thought to be different species were actually this same frog.
There is one special type of this frog called Hyperolius concolor ibadanensis. This type lives in Nigeria and Cameroon.
What Does the Variable Reed Frog Look Like?
The variable reed frog is a medium to large-sized frog. Male frogs are usually about 24 to 31 millimeters long. Female frogs are a bit bigger, about 30 to 40 millimeters long. Their snout, or nose, is long and pointed. Their eyes have pupils that look like a horizontal line.
Changing Colors
These frogs can change their colors! They have two main color phases:
- Phase "J" (for juvenile): All young frogs and many adult males are in this phase. They are usually brownish or green. They might have light lines on their back or a shape like an hourglass.
- Phase "F" (for female): All female frogs change to this phase before they start having babies. Some males also change to this phase. Frogs in this phase are often very colorful. They might have a bright green back and a yellow belly. They usually don't have dark spots on their sides.
You might also see frogs with colors that are a mix of both phases.
Frog Calls
When male frogs want to attract a mate, they make a special sound. It's a series of short, sharp "clicks." It's not a song, but more like a tapping sound.
Habitat and Life Cycle
Hyperolius concolor frogs like to live in open areas. You can find them in clearings in forests or in areas where forests have been changed. They also live in farms, bushy areas, and along rivers in grassy plains. They do not like thick, closed forests.
Where They Lay Eggs
These frogs lay their eggs in small pools of water or marshes. Sometimes, the water can even be a bit smelly! The female frog lays her eggs on folded leaves that hang over the water. When the eggs hatch, the baby tadpoles fall into the water below. They then grow and develop there.
Conservation Status
The variable reed frog is a very common species. Its home is actually growing because more forests are being cleared. This means there's more space for these frogs to live. Even though some areas might lose their habitat, the frog population is generally doing well.
Sometimes, these frogs are sold as pets. However, this doesn't seem to be a big problem for their numbers in the wild. You can find these frogs living safely in many protected areas.
