Primitive aquatic amphibians found only in Africa and South America. Have no tongue, eye has circular pupil and there is lateral-line sense organ along side of body. Some hind toes clawed.
Xenopus borealis 50–90mm
A flat-bodied, smooth-skinned frog with unwebbed, long-toed forelimbs and strongly webbed hindlimbs, on which three toes are black-clawed. Has short tentacle below each eye. Back colour grey-brown with many irregular dark markings, dense on hindlimbs and flanks. Pale belly, usually lightly spotted. Almost fully aquatic and prefers pools or slow-moving water. Eats aquatic insects, small fish and even own tadpoles. The latter have transparent bodies, filamentous tails and large tentacles, and hang head-down filtering plankton. Found in highlands of Kenya and just into Tanzania.
Burrowing frogs, restricted to Africa. Snout hard and pointed, pupils vertical. The only frogs to burrow headfirst into damp soil.
Hemisus marmoratus 30–55mm
Small burrowing frog with smooth skin. Has fold between and above eyes. Forelimbs short and muscular to aid digging. Hindlimbs only slightly webbed. Back yellowish-brown and very mottled. Emerges to feed on insects at night. Lays 150–200 eggs in a tunnel in wet soil leading from standing water. Female stays with clutch and large tadpoles emerge after eight days and wiggle to water. Male gives repeated buzzing call from mud near water.
Stocky amphibians with dry, warty skin. They usually have a pair of parotid glands on sides of neck that secrete toxins. Toads move about with laboured hops and are common around homes.
Amietophrynus garmani 80–115mm
A large toad with conspicuous parotid glands and black-tipped warts on tan or reddish-brown back. Also has reddish inner thighs, but top of head plain, with dark broken bar behind eyes. Inhabits savanna or secondary woodland, and breeds in shallow ponds and still water. Females lay double strings of up to 20,000 eggs. Males give loud ‘kwaak’ call in small choruses from water’s edge.
Amietophrynus gutturalis 70–120mm
A common, very large and noisy toad, with very large, smooth parotid glands that produce a powerful toxin. Light brown back has paired dark-edged blotches, and often a thin pale line along spine. Top of head has characteristic pale cross running between eyes. Inner thighs and groin red. Widespread in savanna and coastal habitats and common around houses. Large numbers congregate at shallow pools when breeding. Males give slow ‘snoring’ call, and females lay long strings of up to 25,000 eggs.
Amietophrynus kisoloensis 50–87mm
A large, stocky toad with pointed snout. Parotid glands large and male’s back smooth, while that of female is warty. More aquatic than many toads, with slender, extensively webbed digits. Body boldly marked, with a greenish hue, dark purple-brown blotches and, often, thin light line along spine. Breeding males turn bright yellow and give slow snore, while hiding in vegetation beside shallow streams. Tadpoles brownish in colour. Restricted to cool, moist mountain forests of Kenya, extending south to northern Zambia and Malawi.
Amietophrynus maculatus 40–80mm
A small savanna toad with flattened parotid glands usually covered with black-tipped spines. Has row of white tubercles under each forearm, and toes only slightly webbed. Body mottled in light tan and cream, with light cross between eyes. Belly cream speckled with grey, and breeding males have blackish throat. Breeds in shallow pans in open savanna, and female lays double string of up to 8,000 eggs. Male’s call a brief trill, given from vegetation.
Amietophrynus xeros 50–95mm
Steve Spawls
A large toad with narrow parotid glands that start close to eye. Body pale brown with six pairs of darker blotches along back, and scattered dark spinules. Inner surface of thighs bright red. Belly cream, and breeding males have dark throats. Prefers arid savanna, from Algeria and Senegal east to Ethiopia, and through much of Kenya, with scattered records in Tanzania. Breeds in shallow pools in riverbeds and in oases, and survives dry season by burrowing deep down in mudbanks.
Schismaderma carens 60–90mm
A large toad with elongate glandular ridge that extends from neck and along flanks. Tympanum as large as eye. Back rust red, with paired blotches on shoulders and lower back, demarcated from pale flanks by dark border. Belly pale with grey speckles. Terrestrial, emerging after dark from burrow or shelter under a stone or log to forage for crickets and slugs. Breeds in shallow ponds and marshy pools. Just enters southern Kenya. Lays up to 20,000 eggs in double strings. Males give low, booming call while floating in water.
Mertensophryne taitanus 20–33mm
Underside
A small toad of the woodland floor, with slender body and thin legs. Has small visible tympanum and flattened parotid glands that are continuous with eyelid. Toes slightly webbed. In males back light gray or tan with three pairs of dark marks. Females have uniform pale back and darker flanks. Belly white, with characteristic trident pattern. Found from Taita Hills, Kenya, through woodlands of northern Tanzania to northwest Zambia, and south along Tanzania coast. Lays small clutch of up to 150 eggs in strings in small muddy pools. The tadpole lacks the fleshy circular crown seen in Woodland Dwarf Toad tadpole.
Mertensophryne micranotis 15–25mm
(c) Mark-Oliver Rodel
A small toad of the forest floor that has dark brown back, pale patches on shoulder and pelvic regions, and mottled belly. Tympanum not visible and parotid glands are indistinct. Outer toe reduced in size. Males have rough thumbs to aid in clasping females during mating. Lays small clutches of 8–12 eggs in small puddles of water in fallen trees or even old snail and coconut shells. Tadpole has fleshy circular crown that assists with breathing in small stagnant pools.
Nectophrynoides asperginis 10–20mm
(c) Alan Channing
A very small, smooth-skinned toad that lacks parotid glands and tympanum. Toes slightly webbed. Body yellow to mustard-yellow, with paired dark brown lateral bands that are prominent in juveniles but fade in adults. Restricted to fringe of mossy herbaceous vegetation bordering the Kihansi Waterfall falling from the Udzungwa escarpment, Tanzania. Discovered only in 1998 and Critically Endangered after a hydroelectric scheme destroyed its habitat. Became extinct in the wild, but habitat has been repopulated with captive-bred toads. Breeding occurs all year round. Fertilisation is internal, females giving birth to a few fully formed toadlets.
Nectophrynoides viviparus 30–60mm
(c) Michele Menegon
Small, smooth-skinned, with a stocky body. Eardrum very small. Parotid glands very large, as are pale-coloured glands on the limbs, which contrast with body. Toes are slightly webbed. Body colour very varied, from grey to pale grey or dark olive, and belly may be pure black or white. Endemic to Tanzania, but widespread through southern mountains. Shelters among leaf litter and dead logs on forest floor, but may climb up to a metre high in low shrubs. Breeding occurs all year round and fertilisation is internal. Female gives birth to up to 70 toadlets, which she may carry for some time on her back.
Comprises two very dissimilar groups, restricted to Africa. In squeakers third finger is elongated, especially in males. Their eggs are laid on land in damp leaf litter and develop directly into small froglets, without a free-swimming tadpole phase. Tree frogs were previously allied with reed frogs (Hyperoliidae). They have normal third fingers and free-swimming tadpoles.
Arthroleptis stenodactylus 30–45mm
A stocky litter frog with a broad head and short legs. Body brown, usually with a darker, three-lobed figure and sometimes a light mid-dorsal stripe. Dark streak curves from eye to arm. Belly pale, and breeding males have grey mottled throats and an elongated third finger. Widespread in forests and cleared areas from South Africa to Angola. Males give repeated high-pitched chirp while sheltering in leaf litter. Deposits 33–80 yolky eggs directly in moist leaf litter.
Arthroleptis xenodactyloides 13–22mm
A very small leaf litter frog with narrow, wedge-shaped head and short legs. Body coloration highly variable. Usually has dark hourglass figure on brown back, and dark streak from snout tip to ear. Some individuals have plain reddish backs. Toe-tips taper to sharp point, and third finger of males is elongate, edged with small spines to grasp female during mating. Restricted to forests, where it hops in leaf litter. Breeding males give high-pitched chirp. Yolky eggs develop directly into miniature froglets.
Arthroleptis adolfifriederici 30–42mm
A stocky leaf litter frog with broad head and short legs. Body mottled brown, usually with marbled sides and sometimes a pale mid-dorsal stripe. Dark streak curves from eye to arm. Males smaller (up to 32mm) and when breeding have grey mottled throats and elongated second and third fingers that grow tooth-like granules. Found in scattered high-rainfall forest patches, from southern Kenya to Malawi and west to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Males give a series of short, loud chirps from moist leaf litter.
Leptopelis argenteus 30–40mm
A small, stout tree frog that lives in moist savanna and coastal bush. Always has light brown back with inverted dark triangle on neck, and usually has dark eye stripe. Toes lack enlarged terminal pads and have variously striped reduced webbing. Brown back (green in Kakamega, Kenya) has bold ‘N’-shaped dark blotch and there are dark bands running between eyes and from below eye to tympanum. Shelters in hole in the ground, foraging on surface at night for insects. Breeding males give low ‘kwaak’ call, usually from the ground but sometimes in low bushes and trees up to 3m high. Eggs laid in deep holes dug in rain-soaked ground.
Leptopelis bocagii 40–60mm
A savanna species with hardly any webbing between toes, which lack enlarged terminal pads. Back brown (green in Kakamega, Kenya) with bold ‘V’-shaped dark blotch. Has dark bands running between eyes and from below eye to tympanum. Shelters in hole in ground, foraging on surface at night for insects. Breeding male gives low ‘kwaak’ call, usually from ground but sometimes in low bushes and trees up to 3m high. Eggs laid in deep holes dug in rain-soaked ground.
Leptopelis flavomaculatus 45–70mm
A large tree frog with broad webbing between toes, which have enlarged terminal pads. Juveniles and some adult males bright green with yellow flecks on back and white heels and elbows. Adult females and some adult males, however, grey-brown with dark brown triangle on back and have dark bands running between eyes and from below eyes to tympanum. Pupil greenish-gold in colour. Call a long, soft clack made from dense vegetation up to 4m high, or even from burrow on the ground. Eggs laid among floating vegetation. Inhabits evergreen forest and shelters in hollow tree cavities.
Leptopelis parkeri 45–70mm
A large forest species in which females grow much larger than males. Slender. Head has small tympanum. Large red eyes sit high on head and face forward. Toes bright yellow and end in expanded pads. Inhabits dense high-altitude forest on Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania. Breeding males have white throat (yellow in females) and call high in trees, making a quiet buzzing call.
Leptopelis vermiculatus 50–85mm
One of Africa’s largest tree frogs, with females growing almost twice as big as males. Toes well webbed and have toe-pads. Juveniles enamel green with black-edged blotches on flanks. This coloration is retained by some adults. Other adults leaf green, with brown chevron on back and irregular white spots on sides. Inhabits low bushes and wild bananas in Eastern Arc Mountain forests. Males give a loud clack call from branches above water.
Widespread throughout the tropical regions of the world. These small, mainly burrowing frogs run instead of hopping.
Phrynomantis bifasciatus 40–65mm
A very smooth-skinned, brightly striped, burrowing frog. Head flat and short-snouted. The thin, almost unwebbed digits of legs have small expanded tips. Body black with pair of bright red-orange bands on flanks that fuse over the hips. Belly grey with white blotches. Skin contains strong toxins. Ants form its main diet. Inhabits savanna in East and South Africa. Males give long, melodious trill from the water’s edge. Eggs laid in shallow pools and develop quickly.
Callulina kreffti 30–40mm
(c) Alan Channing
An unusual, small, squat, arboreal frog with long limbs. Toes elongated on all feet and have flattened expanded tips that aid frog in climbing trees, where it often shelters in hollow trunks or under dead bark. Body mottled grey-brown and has rough skin. Inhabits summit forests of the Tanzanian Arc Mountains. Lays small clutch of large eggs in a moist hollow, often in dead tree. When disturbed, inflates its body and may exude sticky secretion.
Previously included with Microhylids, but now placed in a separate family that is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.
Breviceps mossambicus 30–40mm
A squat burrowing frog with blunt head and bulbous eyes. Legs are short and stout. Body smooth-skinned, usually grey-brown, with dark bar from eye to arm. Belly smooth, mottled in white and grey. The two outer toes of the unwebbed feet are reduced in size. Burrows in sandy soils in southern savanna, only emerging after heavy rains. Males call from burrow entrance, giving brief whistling peep. During mating, the small male becomes glued to back of the bigger female. Up to 25 large eggs are laid and undergo direct development.
Probreviceps macrodactyla 30–40mm
(c) Colin Tilbury
This globular, squat frog has warty skin and a blunt head with bulbous yellow eyes. Body mottled brown with an irregular light yellow side stripe. Fourth toe very elongate, but other toes are unwebbed and lack swollen tips. Lives on forest floor, hiding among leaf litter. Lays up to 20 large eggs at end of burrow in moist soil. These develop directly into small froglets that emerge from the egg capsule. Calling males give low-pitched chirp from the ground. This frog inhabits summit forests of the Tanzanian Arc Mountains.
Mainly found in Asia, with only three African species. Eye has horizontal pupil.
Chiromantis petersi 50–92mm
These mainly Asian tree frogs have sticky, grey skin, a large tympanum, and long legs with extensive toe webbing. Toe-tips are expanded into pads. Back grey or brownish-grey to white, often with darker mottling. Inhabit savanna, including semi-arid scrublands. Males much smaller than females, and give quiet, slow, creaking call. Males and females cling together in amplexus on rock face or tree branch overhanging water. They rub their legs together to beat skin secretions into a foam nest within which eggs are laid. These drop into water after 3–5 days, where they continue to develop.
Chiromantis xerampelina 45–90mm
A slender, grey tree frog that bleaches almost completely white during the day when basking in exposed positions. At night body usually mottled and resembles tree bark covered in lichen. Fingers have expanded tips and are arranged in opposable pairs to clasp vegetation. Both fingers and toes are webbed. Breeding males give quiet, squeaky croak from waterside vegetation. A single female and several males construct foam nest on leaves or in branches overhanging water. Within this aerial meringue, eggs develop into small, dark tadpoles, which subsequently fall into the water below to continue their development.
A large group of diverse frogs restricted to Africa and the Indian Ocean islands. Many have bewildering ranges of colour.
Hyperolius viridiflavus-glandicolor complex 30–45mm
glandicolor
mariae (coastal Kenya)
goetzei (Tanzania)
A group of small to medium-sized reed frogs of amazing colour variation. Only a few of the more widespread forms are illustrated. Unravelling relationships within the group is currently a scientific nightmare. Skin smooth and sticky, and tips of all digits are expanded into pads. Snout short and hindfeet extensively webbed. Found mainly in savanna, but may enter forest margins. Coloration can bleach when in exposed positions. Form dense breeding aggregations. Males call from vegetation near water, giving series of high-pitched clicks. Clutches of around 2–3,000 small eggs are deposited in open water.
Hyperolius mitchelli 23–32mm
(c) Alan Channing
A forest species, this medium-sized reed frog has orange to brown body, often with small dark spots, especially in juveniles. Light snout and dorsolateral stripes are usually black-edged. A light spot present on each heel. Belly orange, sometimes yellow in males. Males give clicking call from vegetation over streams or ponds. A small clutch of eggs is attached to vegetation hanging over water. Tadpoles hatch after 5–6 days and drop into the water below to continue their development.
Hyperolius kivuensis 25–38mm
Large, with long snout and slender, mainly green body, with dark lateral stripe that passes through eye to snout. When it hops, bright yellow-red colour of inner limbs is visible. Inhabits open savanna from Angola to Kenya. Breeding males give brief, harsh chirp from high in reeds and flooded grasses. Sticky eggs are laid on vegetation, hatching in just nine days.
Hyperolius substriatus 20–37mm
A large, heavy-bodied, orange frog usually with dark-edged pale stripe that edges snout and extends to the neck (sometimes as series of spots to the vent). Other patterns occur including black reticulation or yellow spots outlined in black. A common forest species. Breeding male gives series of short, high-pitched clicks while perched on vegetation around a temporary pool or pond. Eggs attached to leaves overhanging water.
Hyperolius tuberlinguis 25–35mm
A medium-sized reed frog with pointed snout and uniform coloration. Body may vary from bright yellow to leaf green or brown, with backward-pointing pale triangle between the eyes. Inhabits lowland savanna, favouring temporary pools in thick vegetation. Breeding male’s call a series of slow clicks, given while sitting in low vegetation. Very sticky all-white eggs laid on vegetation just above the water surface. After early development, tadpoles wriggle free from egg mass and drop into water to continue their growth.
Afrixalus fornasini 25–40mm
A large, slender frog with beautiful striped pattern. Back and tibia have silvery-white stripes with small black-tipped spines. Silvery bands fade at night. Fingers slightly webbed at the base, and toes webbed. Widespread in savanna and coastal woodland. Male call, a series of rapid clacks followed by a buzz, given from reeds in deep ponds. Eggs laid over water on reed leaves, which are then folded and glued over eggs. These hatch 5–10 days later and tadpoles drop into water to continue their development.
Afrixalus brachycnemis 20–27mm
A minute, slender frog with thin legs and adhesive toe pads. Male’s body is covered with small spines, but these are restricted to head in females. Body golden with dark band with light speckling on flanks, and sometimes paired dark lines. Common in eastern savannas and coastal grasslands. Call of breeding male a prolonged buzz, given from flooded grassland.
Kassina senegalensis 25–40mm
A boldly striped burrowing frog, in which tips of the unwebbed digits are expanded into small discs. Back pale grey with large dark spots and broad dark vertebral stripe. Spends long periods underground, emerging to eat termites and other insects. Very widely distributed in savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Calls of breeding males form small choruses from concealed positions in bank-side vegetation. The single abrupt call sounds like cork popping from bottle. Eggs laid in water, attached to submerged vegetation, and the large tadpoles have high tailfins.
Kassina maculata 55–68mm
A large, primarily aquatic frog in which groin and inner parts of thigh are bright red. Back grey-olive covered with large white-edged dark spots, while pale belly usually has dark mottling. Toes and fingertips expanded into rounded discs. Widely distributed along East African coastal region. Male’s call sounds like bursting bubble, given while floating in the water or propped up on aquatic vegetation. Eggs are attached to submerged vegetation, and the large tadpoles are leaf-shaped, sometimes taking as long as 10 months to complete their development.
Previously confused with other ranoid frogs, these small frogs are common on forest floors and in moist savanna.
Phrynobatrachus acridoides 20–30mm
A small frog with bumpy skin, usually with paired chevron-shaped ridges between shoulders. Toes and fingertips faintly expanded and toes moderately webbed. Body grey and often has green or tan mid-dorsal stripe or blotch. Belly smooth and pale, usually with yellowish tinge near vent. Male’s throat light grey. Generally found in puddles, small streams and on swamp margins. Male gives continuous, harsh, creaking snore from shallow water. Eggs float in a single layer just below water surface.
Phrynobatrachus natalensis 30–40mm
A small, stout frog that comes in a bewildering array of colours and patterns. Snout pointed. Toes of short legs lack swollen tips and usually have ample webbing. Skin lumpy, with broken ridges. Back usually mottled brown, but also often with thin pale stripe or broad red-brown or green band along backbone. Males call at any time during wet weather, giving slow, quiet snore from flooded vegetation. Small eggs float at surface of temporary pond in thin mats. Widespread in savanna throughout region.
Previously confused with other ranoid frogs, these long-hopping frogs are restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, with one species introduced to Madagascar.
Ptychadena mascareniensis 40–60mm
A medium-sized, greenish-brown frog having long legs with only two joints of the fourth toe free of webbing. Skin smooth, except for several rows of parallel ridges on back. Body mottled green, usually with light stripe along spine, as well as thin light line on tibia. Belly uniform cream colour. Widely distributed and common in wet lowland areas. Breeding males give brief, nasal bray call while at the edge of water or propped up on aquatic vegetation. Small black-and-white eggs laid in shallow water.
Ptychadena taenioscelis 25–40mm
A small, slender frog with long webbed hindlegs and rows of parallel skin ridges on the back. Tympanum smaller than the eye, and pale ridge runs under eye to neck. Back brown with reticulate dark markings between three thin pale lines. A single continuous dark band passes from knee to knee up the thighs and below the vent. Found in savanna from southern Kenya to Angola and South Africa. Breeding male gives rapid chirp call as it sits in flooded grassland. Small groups of eggs laid in shallow water.
Ptychadena oxyrhynchus 50–85mm
Also known as the rocket frog, this medium-sized species has long, strong legs and can leap prodigious distances. Snout is sharp and toes extensively webbed. Brown-spotted back has several rows of parallel skin ridges, but tibial and vertebral lines absent. Belly smooth and white, sometimes with yellowish groin. Inhabits savannas from South Africa to Senegal. In breeding season, males give sharp, extended trill call from the ground, usually near water. Up to 3,500 eggs are laid in short strings that later break apart and float on the water surface.
Hildebrandtia ornata 50–70mm
Male and female mating
A small, fat, burrowing frog with a smooth skin and bright colour pattern. Hindfeet fat, short-toed and feebly webbed. Back with broad pale bands, separated by darker blotches, and thighs have dark bars. A dark band runs from snout, through eye to neck. Dusky throat has pair of ‘Y’-shaped light marks. Males give harsh bellow from water’s edge. Up to 1,200 eggs are laid in large floating masses in shallow marshy pans.
Most of these frogs were previously placed in the Ranidae. All are restricted to Africa, and form some of the most characteristic amphibians in sub-Saharan Africa.
Cacosternum plimptoni 15–25mm
A minute, teardrop-shaped frog with narrow head and flattened body. Limbs thin with unwebbed toes. Body smooth, varying in colour from green to brown, with spots or stripes. Belly cream and has small grey or black spots. Lives in the grasslands of the Serengeti–Maasai Mara, sheltering under the ground in cracks or old rodent burrows in dry season. Breeds in flooded depressions, with breeding males calling while concealed in cracks or vegetation. Moves in small hops. Reluctant to enter water.
Pyxicephalus edulis 80–120mm
A large, fat frog. Skin rough with short folds and bumps. Hindfeet fat, short-toed and feebly webbed. Lower jaw has two sharp, teeth-like cusps. Tympanum as large as the eye. Males have bright green backs, with darker spots and often a pale vertebral stripe. Females duller olive colour. Inhabits coastal thicket and moist savanna. Over 3⁄4 of the year spent dormant underground in cocoon of shed skin. Breeding males give call like that of a barking dog while sitting in flooded vegetation. Eggs are laid in shallow water and develop quickly. Frog is edible and eaten by local people. Larger inland forms (e.g. from Dodoma and the Kenya highlands) may be different species.
Tomopterna cryptotis 40–60mm
A small, stocky, burrowing frog that has a glandular ridge beneath the tympanum. Large, flattened ‘spade’ on the heel allows it to dig rapidly backward into sandy soil. Back mottled and may comprise various shades of grey-tan to rusty brown. May have pale head patch or thin pale line down spine. Inhabits savannas from South to West Africa, and breeds in temporary ponds. Males sit on exposed mudbanks and give long call that sounds like telephone ringing: ‘bing, bing, bing, bing, …’. Eggs scattered singly in shallow water.
Tomopterna luganga 35–52mm
A small, stocky, burrowing frog that has a large, flattened ‘spade’ on heel that allows it to dig rapidly backward into sandy soil. Tympanum is oval. Hindlimb lacks outer metatarsal. Back rusty brown with scattered tubercles. Has dark-edged pale patch behind eyes. Inhabits central arid savanna of Tanzania, where it breeds in temporary ponds.
Amietia angolensis complex 60–90mm
A large frog with long legs and strongly webbed toes. Back olive, dark-spotted, with distinct folds on upper flanks. Belly light. Usually has dark mottling on throat. Inhabits permanent water bodies from Ethiopia to South Africa. Breeding males have swollen thumbs and dark nuptial pads, and call from water’s edge, often partially submerged. The complex call consists of a long rattle that finishes with brief croak. Large numbers of eggs are laid in shallow water. Eats large insects and even other frogs.
Amietia wittei 40–60mm
A smallish, squat frog with large eyes and eardrums and strongly webbed toes. A prominent black band runs from eye onto side of blotched brown body. Lower flanks mottled with yellow and cream. Prefers marshy areas and stream margins in montane grasslands and is active during the day, shuffling down into marsh vegetation when disturbed. Found in scattered populations from Ethiopia to the eastern Congo region. Eggs are laid in water and the black tadpoles develop slowly.
This family once included many African frogs, but is now mainly restricted to northern hemisphere, with only a few African representatives.
Hylarana galamensis 50–86mm
An attractive frog with strong limbs and smooth skin. Eyes situated on side of head, and tympanum slightly smaller than eye. Toes half-webbed, but tips are not expanded. A broad golden band down back gives this frog its common name. Flanks dark brown, usually with lighter patches. Bold cream line runs from lips to base of hindlimb. Inhabits permanent ponds in coastal bush and moist savanna. Breeding occurs in still pools and the eggs float on the water surface.
A group of mainly Asian frogs that possess forked tongues. There is just one African species.
Hoplobatrachus occipitalis 80–120mm
A large, squat frog. Skin rough with short folds and bumps. Eyes on top of head and ‘crowned’ by a fold of skin that runs between backs of eyes. Has large tympanum and eye has diamond-shaped pupil. Toes strongly webbed. Body colour varies from dark brown to green, usually with some white spots. Belly and sometimes flanks are yellow. Prefers open woodland. Its presence in forests a sign of disturbance. Mainly found in Great Lakes region, but may be expanding its range. Tadpoles are carnivorous with horny ‘teeth’ to rasp other tadpoles, particular those of ridged frogs (pages 147–8)
Bizarre legless amphibians restricted to tropical regions of South America, Africa and Asia. Fertilisation is internal and they lay a few eggs in moist soil. In some species these undergo direct development.
Scolecomorphus kirkii 200–270mm
An elongate, snake-like amphibian that lacks legs and burrows underground. Eyes situated at the base of small tentacles, and may be extruded like the eye of a snail. Skin smooth with numerous grooves that give it the appearance of a rubbery worm. Has between 129 and 148 body annuli, and vent is longitudinal. Burrows underground in moist savanna. Little known of its reproduction. Probably gives birth to small number of babies.
Boulengerula uluguruensis 200–270mm
Very thin, with no visible eyes, pointed snout, underslung mouth, and small tentacle near to corner of mouth. Has 132–148 body annuli and vent is transverse. Bright pink above and below. Little known about its life, but probably feeds on soil invertebrates such as termites, and female lays eggs. Common in moist forest soils of the Ulugurus.