Royal Ghost Frog
Encyclopedia
The Royal Ghost Frog also known as the Southern Ghost Frog or Cape Ghost Frog, is a species of frog
in the Heleophrynidae family. It is endemic to South Africa
, and lives in fast–moving freshwater streams.
), South Africa. The underside of the body, including the jaw, has small hooks, which help the frogs climb over wet rocks near their habitats. The frogs measure 35–45 mm (1.4–1.8 in) in length. It is in the same size range as Hewitt's Ghost Frog
, but is smaller than Purcell's Ghost Frog
. The top side of its body is brown with yellow spots, and the underside is white. The limbs are plain-colored, and flesh-colored underneath. Their tadpoles take up to two years to develop fully. The call of the Royal Ghost Frog is a harsh creaking sound, at around one call per second.
is fynbos
heathland in the Western and Eastern provinces of South Africa, and specifically cool mountain streams
at an altitude of 230–790 meters.
It is threatened by habitat loss, as it requires clean, fast-moving water in which to live. However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature classes the species as Least Concern
; although it lives in an area of less than 20000 sqkm, the habitat is not currently threatened, and the species is presumed to have a large population. Threats to its habitat include siltation
of the freshwater streams.
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 Heleophrynidae family. It is endemic to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, and lives in fast–moving freshwater streams.
Description
Ghost Frogs get their name as one of the six species found in Skeleton Gorge (on Table MountainTable Mountain
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top...
), South Africa. The underside of the body, including the jaw, has small hooks, which help the frogs climb over wet rocks near their habitats. The frogs measure 35–45 mm (1.4–1.8 in) in length. It is in the same size range as Hewitt's Ghost Frog
Hewitt's Ghost Frog
The Hewitt's Ghost Frog is a species of frog in the Heleophrynidae family.It is endemic to South Africa.Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate grassland, and rivers....
, but is smaller than Purcell's Ghost Frog
Purcell's Ghost Frog
The Purcell's Ghost Frog is a species of frog in the Heleophrynidae family.It is endemic to South Africa.Its natural habitats are temperate forests, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, and rivers....
. The top side of its body is brown with yellow spots, and the underside is white. The limbs are plain-colored, and flesh-colored underneath. Their tadpoles take up to two years to develop fully. The call of the Royal Ghost Frog is a harsh creaking sound, at around one call per second.
Habitat
All species of Ghost Frogs are endemic to the southern tip of Africa. Its natural habitatHabitat
* 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...
is fynbos
Fynbos
Fynbos is the natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa, mainly in winter rainfall coastal and mountainous areas with a Mediterranean climate...
heathland in the Western and Eastern provinces of South Africa, and specifically cool mountain streams
STREAMS
In computer networking, STREAMS is the native framework in Unix System V for implementing character devices.STREAMS was designed as a modular architecture for implementing full-duplex I/O between kernel or user space processes and device drivers. Its most frequent uses have been in developing...
at an altitude of 230–790 meters.
It is threatened by habitat loss, as it requires clean, fast-moving water in which to live. However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature classes the species as Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern is an IUCN category assigned to extant taxon or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, Near Threatened, or Conservation Dependent...
; although it lives in an area of less than 20000 sqkm, the habitat is not currently threatened, and the species is presumed to have a large population. Threats to its habitat include siltation
Siltation
Siltation is the pollution of water by fine particulate terrestrial clastic material, with a particle size dominated by silt or clay. It refers both to the increased concentration of suspended sediments, and to the increased accumulation of fine sediments on bottoms where they are undesirable...
of the freshwater streams.