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<FONT FACE="verdana,arial,helvetica" SIZE="6"><B>Cape Platanna</B></FONT>
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<FONT FACE="verdana,arial,helvetica" SIZE="2"><I>Xenopus gilli</I></FONT>
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The species can be found only in the southwestern Cape Province in South Africa. The frog's <A HREF="../glossary.html#habitat" TARGET="eslist">habitat</A> includes <A HREF="../glossary.html#fynbo"" TARGET="eslist">fynbos</A>, which are stained, piquant seepages and in the ponds in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.
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The Cape Platanna has smooth skin, strong webbed hind feet and a pointed head. One unusual thing about the Cape Platanna is that it does not have a tongue. This frog measures around 2.3 inches (5.8cm). It is usually dark colored.
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The adults eat <A HREF="../glossary.html#insect" TARGET="eslist">insects</A> during the summer, but prefer tadpoles and small frogs during the rest of the year.
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Breeding begins in July.
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The Cape Platanna was discovered in 1927. It is very picky with its habitats and that factor contributes on its decline. Other factors of its decline include: change of vegetation, change of water quality and its interbreeding with a larger, related species called the Common Platanna Xenopus laevis. The Xenopus takes over the Cape Platanna's habitat and also feeds on its tadpoles. Its surviving individuals are being protected and some 300 are in reserve parks.
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<IMG SRC="../../media/maps/cape_platanna.gif" ALT="Map of Where Cape Platannas Are Located" WIDTH="320" HEIGHT="183" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="2" BORDER="0" ALIGN="right">
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<U>Bibliography</U>
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<LI>TEN - Treasure Sites <A HREF="http://www.ten.org/tsites/ewt/threatened/rendangered.html" TARGET="esfact">[Threatened Species - Endangered Reptiles & Amphibians]</A></LI>
<LI>U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <A HREF="http://www.fws.gov/r9endspp/endspp.html" TARGET="esfact">Division of Endangered Species</A></LI>
<LI><U>Encyclopedia of Endangered Species.</U> Edited by Mary Emanoid in Association with IUCN - The World Conservation Union. Detroit, Washington D.C., London: Gale Research Inc., 1994</LI>
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[<A HREF="../esframe.html#es" TARGET="_top">Endangered Species List</A>]
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© 1998 Team 19689 - World Endangered Species
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<ADDRESS>../19689/data/amphibians/cape_platanna_frame.html</ADDRESS></FONT>
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