Kingdom Animalia Order Anura Genus Pleurodema Higher classification Pleurodema | Phylum Chordata Family Leptodactylidae Scientific name Pleurodema bibroni Rank Species | |
Similar Pleurodema, Frog, Amphibians, Pleurodema thaul, Leptodactylidae | ||
Pleurodema bibroni is a species of frog in the Leptodactylidae family. Its common name is four-eyed frog, although this name can also refer to the Pleurodema genus in general. The common name refers to two inguinal poison glands that resemble eyes. When threatened, the frog lowers its head and raises its rear. When the frog adopts this posture the poison glands are also raised toward the predator. The predator may also confuse the frog's raised posterior for the head of a larger animal.
Pleurodema bibroni is found in Uruguay and southern Brazil. Its natural habitats are coastal sand plains, open savannas, rocky outcrops, grasslands and open montane habitats. Breeding takes place in temporary pools. It is a rare species that occurs in widely scattered populations. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by encroaching agriculture, human settlements, and pine plantations.