Giant Ditch Frog

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

iGiant Ditch Frog
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Suborder: Neobatrachia
Family: Leptodactylidae
Genus: Leptodactylus
Species: L. fallax
Binomial name
Leptodactylus fallax
(Müller, 1926)

The Giant Ditch Frog (Leptodactylus fallax) is a frog that lives in Dominica and Montserrat. The population has declined 80 % in the last ten years and this species is now critical endangered. The population is estimated to 8000 individuals. One of the main threats is human consumption. It is also called the Mountain Chicken for its large size and the fact it's hunted for food.

The Giant Ditch Frog is terrestrial and nocturnal. The adults are 16 cm long.

The frog was formerly found on the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

[edit] References

  • Fa et al (2004). Leptodactylus fallax. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 09 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is critically endangered

http://www.shoarns.com/MountainChicken.html