Home > Facts > Animal Facts > Darwin's frog Facts

Darwin's frog Facts

Darwin's frog Facts
Darwin's frog is amphibian named after Charles Darwin, who discovered this species. This unusual animal lives in the South America. Darwin's frog inhabits forests, glades and areas near slow flowing rivers and streams. Habitat loss due to deforestation is the main factor which decreases number of Darwin's frog in the wild. Other than that, climate changes and increased ultraviolet radiation negatively affect their survival. Darwin's frog is listed as vulnerable species (it may become endangered in the near future).
Interesting Darwin's frog Facts:
Darwin's frog is small animal that can reach 0.9 to 1.4 inches in length and 0.07 to 0.17 ounces of weight.
Skin of Darwin's frog is warty and usually brown or green (or combination of these colors) on the upper side of the body. Bottom side of the body can be black or white. It is often covered with large blotches. Specific coloration of the body provides camouflage.
Darwin's frog has triangle-shaped head and pointed snout. It has thin legs designed for hopping. Since they live mostly on the ground, only hind feet are partially webbed (webbed feet facilitate swimming).
Darwin's frog is active during the day (diurnal creature).
Darwin's frog is carnivore (meat-eater). It consumes different types of insects and small invertebrates such as worms and snails.
Darwin's frog hunts using the factor of surprise (an ambush predator). It sits motionless and waits for the prey to appear. When the prey approaches close enough, Darwin's frog catches it in a blink of an eye, using its long, sticky tongue.
Due to its small size, Darwin's frog has a lot of predators. Natural enemies of Darwin's frog are rodents, snakes and birds.
Darwin's frog applies interesting strategy when it is threatened. It pretends to be dead in the case of danger. This frog looks like a leaf, which makes it almost invisible in front of the predators.
Darwin's frog moves at the speed of 5 miles per hour.
Darwin's frog is solitary creature that gathers with other frogs only during the mating season.
Darwin's frog can mate throughout the whole year, but they prefer period from November to March.
Male Darwin's frog has large vocal pouch that produces bell-like calls during the mating season. This pouch plays important role in rearing of the young.
Female lays 30 eggs. Male guards them 2 weeks. When tadpoles start to wriggle, male swallows the eggs and keeps them inside the vocal pouch until they undergo process of metamorphosis. Young frogs will leave father's throat when they complete development.
Tadpoles eat remains of egg yolk and certain substance produced in the male's vocal sac. Internal organs of the male frog will move to create enough space for young frogs.
Darwin's frog can survive from 10 to 15 years in the wild.


Related Links:
Facts
Animal Facts
Animals Facts