Ceratobatrachus guentheri
Encyclopedia
Ceratobatrachus guentheri is a species of frog
in the Ranidae family. It is monotypic
within the genus Ceratobatrachus. Common names include Solomon Island Leaf Frog, Solomon Island Eyelash Frog and Gunther's Triangle Frog.
Soloman Island leaf frogs are a medium sized terrestrial frog found in Papua New Guinea
and the Solomon Islands
. They average about 3–4 inches in length, with females being larger than the males.
Its natural habitat
s are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest
s, rural gardens, urban area
s, and heavily degraded former forest, where their cryptic coloration and dorsal patterns aid in their camouflage
– often mimicking decaying leaf matter – giving rise to the common name of "leaf frog". They are an interesting example of a species that undergoes direct development – skipping the tadpole stage and emerging from the egg as a fully developed froglet. They grow rapidly from a 1/8" long froglet on a diet of tiny insects until they can take the adult diet of insects, arthropods, smaller amphibians and small reptiles. They are ambush predators, pouncing quickly on any prey animals that happen to wander within their reach – including their own species.
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
in the Ranidae family. It is monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
within the genus Ceratobatrachus. Common names include Solomon Island Leaf Frog, Solomon Island Eyelash Frog and Gunther's Triangle Frog.
Soloman Island leaf frogs are a medium sized terrestrial frog found in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
and the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
. They average about 3–4 inches in length, with females being larger than the males.
Its natural habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
s are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s, rural gardens, urban area
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
s, and heavily degraded former forest, where their cryptic coloration and dorsal patterns aid in their camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
– often mimicking decaying leaf matter – giving rise to the common name of "leaf frog". They are an interesting example of a species that undergoes direct development – skipping the tadpole stage and emerging from the egg as a fully developed froglet. They grow rapidly from a 1/8" long froglet on a diet of tiny insects until they can take the adult diet of insects, arthropods, smaller amphibians and small reptiles. They are ambush predators, pouncing quickly on any prey animals that happen to wander within their reach – including their own species.