Leptopelis uluguruensis, known as the Uluguru tree frog, is a species of amphibian endemic to the Uluguru Mountains, located in Tanzania. This frog lives in tropical mountain forests, where high humidity and temperate temperatures create an ideal environment for its development. Its body is medium-sized, with a length ranging from 3 to 5 centimeters. The coloration of Leptopelis uluguruensis varies between green and brown tones, allowing it to camouflage itself among the leaves and vegetation of the trees. This ability to mimic is essential for its survival, as it helps it avoid predators.
One of the most distinctive features of this frog is its large eyes, which provide it with excellent night vision. Leptopelis uluguruensis is a species with mainly nocturnal habits, which means that it becomes active at nightfall to hunt insects and small invertebrates that constitute its main diet. Its limbs are long and equipped with adhesive discs on its fingers, allowing it to easily climb tree branches, its main habitat.
The reproductive behavior of this species is also characteristic. During the mating season, males emit vocalizations from low branches near bodies of water, with the aim of attracting females. After fertilization, females deposit their eggs on the ground, near ponds or streams, where the tadpoles hatch and complete their development in the water.
Despite its specialized adaptations, Leptopelis uluguruensis faces significant threats due to the loss of its natural habitat. Deforestation and the expansion of human activities in the Uluguru Mountains have considerably reduced the forested areas where this species thrives, putting it at risk of population decline. As a result, the protection of these forests and the conservation of their ecosystems is crucial to ensure the long-term survival of this endemic frog.
Approximate measurements of the Frog:
One of the most distinctive features of this frog is its large eyes, which provide it with excellent night vision. Leptopelis uluguruensis is a species with mainly nocturnal habits, which means that it becomes active at nightfall to hunt insects and small invertebrates that constitute its main diet. Its limbs are long and equipped with adhesive discs on its fingers, allowing it to easily climb tree branches, its main habitat.
The reproductive behavior of this species is also characteristic. During the mating season, males emit vocalizations from low branches near bodies of water, with the aim of attracting females. After fertilization, females deposit their eggs on the ground, near ponds or streams, where the tadpoles hatch and complete their development in the water.
Despite its specialized adaptations, Leptopelis uluguruensis faces significant threats due to the loss of its natural habitat. Deforestation and the expansion of human activities in the Uluguru Mountains have considerably reduced the forested areas where this species thrives, putting it at risk of population decline. As a result, the protection of these forests and the conservation of their ecosystems is crucial to ensure the long-term survival of this endemic frog.
Approximate measurements of the Frog:
- Complete 1:1 scale
- Snout-vent length 46 mm
- Size of the replica: 66 mm long x 50 mm high x 31 mm wide
