Darwin’s frog ( Rhinodema darwinii )
Darwin’s frog - Darwin’s frog information - Darwin’s frog facts
The Darwin’s frog is a tiny frog with length of 2.7 cm and weight of only 2 grams. It has got dark yellow colour with green and brownish spots all over its body. Its skin is moist. Rhinoderma darwinii inhabits cool and shallow streams in moist forests in Latin America, particularly in Chile and Argentine.
Its reproduction is quite peculiar. After the female frog lays about 30 eggs the male frog cares for them. When the tadpoles are hatching the male frog takes them with his tongue and places them in his vocal sack. In the vocal sac further development takes place until the tadpoles are about 1 cm long. Consequently they leave the vocal sac and develop themselves outside.
Their diet consists of small insects, spiders and earthworms. They are insufficient data about their longevity.
The Darwin’s frog was discovered by Charles Darwin when taking his famous Beagle voyage. This unique mouth-brooding is also present on the Australian frog (Rheobatrachus silus).
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