robber frog
Noun: 1. A small terrestrial frog found in tropical America. 2. A small terrestrial frog of the southwestern United States and Mexico, known for its call that resembles a dog's bark.
The term "robber frog" is used to refer to specific types of small, ground-dwelling frogs. It is a common name, not a scientific one, so its usage depends on the regional context. * When discussing the biodiversity of tropical America, a "robber frog" is one of the many amphibian species. * In the context of the southwestern U.S. or Mexican deserts, "robber frog" specifically denotes the barking frog (Craugastor augusti or related species).
- The biologist discovered a new species of robber frog in the Costa Rican rainforest.
- At night in the Chihuahuan Desert, you can hear the distinctive call of the robber frog.
- Several species of robber frog are considered threatened due to habitat loss.
- The name "robber frog" is thought to possibly originate from the frog's secretive, lurking behavior or its sudden, startling call, as if it were "robbing" the silence.
- Barking Frog: This is a more specific common name, often used interchangeably with "robber frog" for the North American species ().
- Craugastor: This is the genus name for many of the frogs referred to as robber frogs in the tropics.
- Eleutherodactylus: This is a former genus name under which many robber frogs were classified.
- Barking Frog (for the North American species)
- Terrestrial frog (a broader, descriptive term)
The term "robber frog" has two primary applications: 1. As a general term: For various small, land-dwelling frogs in Central and South America. 2. As a specific term: For a particular frog species in northern Mexico and the southwestern U.S., notable for its unique barking call. The exact species referred to can vary by region.
- small terrestrial frog of tropical America
- of southwest United States and Mexico; call is like a dog's bark