Weale's running frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Weale's running frog |
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The Weale's running frog (Semnodactylus wealii) is a cool type of frog. People also call it the Weale's frog or the rattling frog. This frog belongs to the Hyperoliidae family, which is a group of tree frogs. It's special because it's the only species in its group, called a genus. You can find these frogs hopping around in southern and eastern South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini.
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What's in a Name?
The scientific name for this frog is wealii. This name was chosen to honor a person named James Philip Mansel Weale. He was an English amateur entomologist, which means he studied insects as a hobby. Mr. Weale lived and farmed in a place called Bedford, Eastern Cape. He helped scientists by sending them animal samples, which is how this frog got its name!
What Does It Look Like?
Weale's running frogs are not very big. They usually grow to about 44 millimeters (or 1.7 inches) long from their nose to their bottom. They have thin, long legs that help them run.
Their back is usually yellowish-brown to grey. You might see three dark stripes running down their back, and each stripe has a lighter center. The sides of their body often have a dark line or some dark spots. The parts of their legs that are usually hidden are bright yellow or orange. If you see a male frog during breeding season, its throat will be black!
The Frog's Special Call
Male Weale's running frogs have a unique sound they make to attract females. It's a low-pitched creak. Some people say it sounds a lot like the noise a cork makes when you pull it out of a bottle!
Where Do They Live?
Weale's running frogs are quite common. They mostly live in grassland areas, usually below 1,700 meters (about 5,600 feet) in height. In a place called Western Cape, you can also find them in a type of shrubland called fynbos heath.
These frogs like to breed in all sorts of water. They use both permanent and temporary ponds, and even natural and human-made ones. The important thing is that these ponds have plants growing in the water.
Are They Safe?
Good news! Weale's running frogs are found in many protected areas. They are also quite good at living even when their habitat is a bit disturbed by people. Because of this, they are not currently facing any big threats to their survival.
