
The Paedophryne Amauensis Frog is a tiny species of frog that's found in Papua New Guinea.
It's just 0.3 inches long, making it the smallest known frog in the world.
This frog was first discovered in 2012, and since then, it's been a topic of interest among scientists and nature enthusiasts alike.
The Paedophryne Amauensis Frog is a nocturnal species, meaning it's active at night and rests during the day.
Frog Details
The Paedophryne amauensis frog is a remarkable creature. It's the smallest known vertebrate in the world, measuring only about 7.7 mm in length.
They were discovered in Papua New Guinea in 2009, and their name comes from the Amau village in the Central Province where they were found.
These tiny frogs have a unique way of communicating with each other, making calls that sound like insects, which makes them difficult to detect.
Their camouflage skills are impressive, as they can blend in with the leaves on the forest floor, making them nearly invisible.
One of the most fascinating things about the Paedophryne amauensis frog is its ability to jump - they can jump 30 times their body length!
Common Name

Frogs have many common names, but their scientific name is always the same.
Some of the most common names for frogs include the American bullfrog, the African clawed frog, and the European common frog.
The American bullfrog is one of the largest frog species, reaching lengths of up to 8 inches.
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Details
The Paedophryne amauensis are the smallest known vertebrate in the world. They were discovered in Papua New Guinea in 2009.
These tiny frogs are found near Amau village in the Central Province, which is where they got their name. They have calls that sound like insects, making them difficult to detect.
The Paedophryne amauensis live on land and don't go through a tadpole stage, instead hatching as "hoppers" - miniature adults. Their skeleton is tiny, and they only have seven presacral vertebra.
They are able to jump 30 times their body length, which is quite impressive considering their small size. The Paedophryne amauensis are crepuscular, meaning they are active at twilight, and they eat small invertebrates.
Males have a distinctive mating call, a series of high-pitched insect-sounding peeps. The Paedophryne amauensis are native to Papua New Guinea and have a brownish coloration, large eyes.
Characteristics
Paedophryne amauensis is a tiny frog, measuring just 7.7 millimeters from head to rump.
Its body weight is surprisingly low, at only 10 milligrams.
The frog's life cycle is quite unique, as it hatches as a miniature adult, known as a 'hopper', rather than a tadpole.
These miniatures are fully formed, with a reduced skeleton and only seven presacral vertebrae.
Paedophryne amauensis is capable of jumping an impressive thirty times its own body length.
It's a crepuscular frog, meaning it's most active at twilight, and feeds on small invertebrates.
Size
The Paedocypris progenetica is slightly longer than P. amauensis, measuring 7.7 millimeters from head to rump.
However, P. amauensis is actually lighter, weighing only 10 milligrams.
P. amauensis can jump an impressive thirty times its own body length.
It's worth noting that P. amauensis weighs less than Schindleria brevipinguis, which weighs less than 2 milligrams.
Some individuals of Schindleria brevipinguis have been found to weigh as little as 0.7 milligrams.
Taxonomic Breakdown:
The Paedophryne amauensis is a member of the animal kingdom, specifically classified as Animalia.
It belongs to the phylum Chordata, which is a group of animals with a backbone or a notochord.
This species is further divided into the subphylum Vertebrata, which includes animals with a backbone.
As an amphibian, Paedophryne amauensis falls under the class Amphibia.
Within the family Microhylidae, it is part of the subfamily Aesterophyryinae.
The genus Paedophryne is a specific classification for this species, and Paedophryne amauensis is the only known species within this genus.
Frog Facts
The Paedophryne amauensis frog is an incredibly small species. It's the smallest known vertebrate in the world.
One of the most fascinating facts about this frog is its tiny size. The average size of Paedophryne amauensis is just 7.7 millimeters, which is smaller than a dime. I've never seen anything that small in my life!
These frogs don't go through a tadpole stage, which is unusual for their species. This means they develop directly from eggs into tiny frogs.
Paedophryne amauensis frogs are nocturnal, which means they're active at night. They live on the forest floor, where they can be found making sounds similar to insects. It's amazing to think about how they can produce such sounds without being seen.
Here are some key facts about Paedophryne amauensis frogs:
- Smallest known vertebrate in the world
- Average size: 7.7 millimeters
- No tadpole stage
- Nocturnal and live on the forest floor
- Make sounds similar to insects
- Discovered in 2009
Conservation Status
The Paedophryne amauensis frog is not currently considered threatened, which is good news for conservation efforts.
One reason for this is that large areas of suitable habitat remain, providing a safe space for the frogs to thrive.
The frog is known to be very abundant locally, which suggests a strong and healthy population.
It's worth noting that the species is likely to have a much wider range than what's currently known, which could impact conservation efforts in the future.
The Paedophryne amauensis frog is found in eastern Papua New Guinea, specifically near Amau village and in the Variarata National Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Paedophryne amauensis live?
Paedophryne amauensis has a relatively short lifespan of about one year, similar to other species in its group.
How big is the world's smallest frog?
The world's smallest frog, Paedophryne amauensis, measures 7mm (0.27 inches) in length. This tiny amphibian holds the record for the smallest vertebrate in the world.
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