Tanzania screeching frog, Tanner's squeaker
Arthroleptis tanneri, the Tanzania screeching frog or Tanner's squeaker, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to the West Usambara Mountains in northeastern Tanzania; previous records from elsewhere refer to other species.
The specific name tanneri honours Mr John Tanner, owner of a tea estate in Mazumbai, (the type locality) "in recognition of the generosity and hospitality afforded the collectors and other zoologists and his keen interest in the natural history of Mazumbai."
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
Jumping (saltation) can be distinguished from running, galloping, and other gaits where the entire body is temporarily airborne by the relatively l...
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starts withMales in the type series measure on average 34 mm (1.3 in) and females 51 mm (2.0 in) in snout–vent length. With a maximum snout-vent length of 55 mm (2.2 in), it is the largest of the Arthroleptis species. The body is stoutly built. The head is slightly broader than long, with snout rounded in dorsal view. The canthus rostralis is sharp. The tympanum is clearly visible. The toes are long, slender, and without webbing. The skin is usually smooth, although a juvenile had small scattered dorsal warts. The dorsum is claret-brown, with the chain of darker vertebral markings. The hands and feet are pinkish, especially from under. The upper half of iris is pale gold.
Arthroleptis tanneri resembles Arthroleptis affinis in colouration and morphology, but molecular data suggest that they are not closely related.
Screeching Frogs all share a similar behavior that "scream" to startle predators off that can last up to 5 seconds and sounds often like a crying baby. They usually reside on the north-eastern mountains of West Usambara. Feeding and mating most often takes place after a rainfall. During a sunny day they can be seen active under the shaded areas under trees. They will also fight with other males during breeding season to hold a territory to mate with a female.