Frog-tomato: description of unusual amphibia

At the word "frog" many represent a green or brown amphibian. But the fantasy of Mother Nature knows no bounds. Some frogs have a truly amazing skin color. A vivid example, confirming this fact, can become a frog-tomato.

These amphibians belong to the order of the anurans and the family of the short-tailed. Let's try to figure out why the animal got such a "vegetable" nickname. Our article will help to find the answer to this question, and also will tell about the life of these unusual creatures.

Appearance

Tomato narrow-mouth, as many call this kvakushku, has a bright red skin color. Some species have brown and yellow stripes on the back.

Female larger than males, they can grow up to 9 cm in length, while their male relatives rarely reach 7 cm.

The skin of the women is brighter, and their color can be dominated not only by tomato-red, but orange-orange. The skin of males is usually red-brown. For a certain similarity with the ripe tomato frog and received this name.

The abdomen of the representatives of both sexes is lighter than the back, it is yellowish or white. In some frogs, the neck is decorated with black dots.

The skin of the frog is smooth, there are folds on each side, under which there are bands of black color. On the hind legs of the amphibian there are weakly expressed small-sized swimming membranes, but not their forelimbs.

Weight of adult frogs varies from 40 to 200 g, due to which the red frog is considered one of the largest representatives of the detachment.

Spread

Red amphibians of this species live in the northeastern forests near the water bodies, as well as in the urban and rural gardens of the island of Madagascar. It can be found in swampy places, near which there are springs of water. It is noteworthy that, unlike most other amphibians, a frog-tomato does not like to swim.

Lifestyle

Where better this animal feels on the surface of the earth, with pleasure rummages in it. During the day the red frog sits in its mink, hides in foliage or behind driftwood. In the evening hours, hunting begins, which can last all night. Settled in an ambush, the toad patiently waits for the appearance of insects, and catches them with the help of its long tongue.

Reproduction of Narrow-Islands

In the natural habitat for reproduction of red frogs requires increased humidity. The required level comes after heavy rains, which go in those parts several times a year. Frog tomatoes do not have a mating season as such, they can breed almost all year round.

Attracting a lady, the male arranges a grandiose song show. To do this, it is arranged in a shallow pond, a swamp or in a ditch, and the shelter must first be flooded with water, which will then dry up. There, the males sing their serenades.

Fertilization in this species of amphibians is internal. The water environment is an ideal place for caviar, which is a frog-tomato. The description of this animal should be supplemented with an impressive figure - in a laying there can be up to one and a half thousand eggs. For a day and a half they swim in the water, until the tadpoles appear from the fertilized eggs. In the early days they are quite tiny - up to 5 mm.

Among frogs, tomatoes are not taken care of the offspring. Parents do not protect or feed babies. The cubs have to survive, hoping only for themselves. Eat tadpoles plankton, filtering it out of the water.

Froggy appearance kids get about a couple of months, but still remain small. Sexual maturation occurs by the year.

The frog-tomato lives for a long time - up to 10 years.

Natural enemies

Specifically, no one hunts these creatures. Predators can be frightened off by claws, teeth, poison, you can simply hide or escape from them. But the frog-tomato chooses another way. While most of its relatives, painted in the colors of the earth and the marshes, hide in the folds of the terrain or under the water, the narrow-necked boldly flaunts in its bright red robes. The trick is that this is also a disguise, but this creature is not masked for the landscape - it pretends to be poisonous. A flamboyant appearance signals: "It's dangerous for me to touch!", And therefore nobody attempts to attack these amphibians.

In fact, the cunning narrow-mouth is not at all toxic. But he has some protection. The skin of a frog can distinguish a special secret, gluing together the jaws of the one who took it into his head to feast on it.

Striving to frighten the enemy, the cuckoo can swell, increasing in volume. This is not a unique ability, it is possessed by many frogs.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to call this species widespread. Human activities affect the population, therefore tomato narrow-mouth is listed in the Red Book and is under protection.