White-bellied frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-bellied frog |
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Geocrinia alba Wardell-Johnson & Roberts, 1989 |
The Anstisia alba, also known as the white-bellied frog, is a small frog that belongs to the Myobatrachidae family. This special frog lives in swampy areas next to creeks near Margaret River in Western Australia. Sadly, changes to its environment have made this species critically endangered, meaning it's at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
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What's in a Name?
For a long time, the white-bellied frog was known by a different scientific name, Geocrinia alba. But in 2022, scientists decided it was unique enough to be placed in a brand new group, or genus, called Anstisia. So now its official scientific name is Anstisia alba.
What Does It Look Like?
The white-bellied frog looks a lot like another frog called the orange-bellied frog (A. vitellina). It has dark brown spots on its back, which can be light brown or grey. These frogs are quite small, usually measuring about 17 to 24 millimeters from their snout to their bottom. The easiest way to tell them apart is by their belly: the white-bellied frog has a white underside! It is part of a group of similar frogs known as the Geocrinia rosea complex.
Where Does It Live?
The white-bellied frog lives in a small area of about 193 hectares (that's like 477 football fields!). This area is spread across 101 square kilometers around the Witchcliffe-Karridale region in Southwest Australia. These frogs need very specific homes: they only live in swampy spots right next to creeks.
Scientists from the University of Western Australia have found 56 different places where these frogs live. The frogs like to stay and lay their eggs in small, damp dips under thick plants. Unlike many other frogs, white-bellied frogs don't travel much. If their home gets disturbed, they usually don't move back into it.
Why Is It Endangered?
The white-bellied frog is in big trouble. It's listed as 'critically endangered' because of changes to its environment and how land is being used. Many of these frogs live on private land, which means their homes can be affected by things like cows grazing. Since the 1990s, more land has been used for growing grapes (viticulture) and planting eucalyptus trees.
Threats to Their Home
Several things can harm the frog's habitat:
- Fires can damage the plants around their swampy homes.
- Cattle grazing can also destroy the plants they need for shelter.
- Building dams or clearing land for vineyards changes how water flows, which is vital for the frogs.
- Planting trees that are not native to the area can also change the water levels.
What's Being Done to Help?
Scientists from the University of Western Australia and the Department of Environment and Conservation have been studying these frogs. Money has been given to help landowners put up fences to protect the frog's habitat from cattle. There are also plans to create a special protected area that connects the Forest Grove and Blackwood River National Parks. This will help protect the riparian habitat, which is the land right next to rivers and creeks that these frogs depend on.
