What Is the Smallest Frog in the World?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. What is the smallest frog in the world?

The Big Idea

The smallest frog in the world is only about as long as a small pea! It lives in the rainforest of Papua New Guinea. Its science name is Paedophryne amauensis, and it was found just a few years ago.

Tiny Size

Step one: tiny size. This frog is only about 0.3 inch long, which is 7.7 millimeters. That is smaller than a pea, and it can sit on a fingernail.

Leaf Litter Home

Step two: a leaf litter home. It lives in the damp leaf litter on the forest floor. It hunts tiny mites, which are even smaller animals. A frog this small only needs a very small meal.

Hard to Find

Step three: hard to find. Its call is so high and soft that it sounds like an insect. Scientists found it in 2012 by following that tiny sound through the leaves. They listened first, then searched very carefully.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! It is about the size of a pea. It hides in leaf litter on the ground. It hunts tiny mites for food. And it chirps like an insect. Finding it is quite a puzzle!

Quick Facts

Quick facts! This frog is one of the smallest animals with a backbone ever found, and it is a true frog. Its home is the rainforest of Papua New Guinea. Scientists found it in 2012. Never touch wild frogs. Their skin is delicate.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Mark 8 millimeters on a ruler. Draw a dot that long. Then draw a leaf litter scene around it. How would you ever find an animal that small?

Outro

Some of the forest's biggest surprises are also its smallest. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!