Meet the Adorable Cape Rain Frog!
Ever heard of a frog that can't jump or swim?
Meet the Cape rain frog (Breviceps gibbosus), an adorable little creature native to South Africa's southwestern Cape. This pudgy amphibian was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 and is also known as the giant rain frog.
Unique Features
- Size: Up to 45 mm (1.8 inches)
- Appearance: Round body, short limbs, brown skin with white-dotted belly
- Fun Fact: Can inflate its body to look bigger when threatened!
Habitat and Adaptation
- Location: From Cape Town to Citrusdal
- Habitats: Fynbos, gardens, renosterveld, urban areas
- Adaptability: Thrives in gardens but vulnerable to herbicides and pets
Love and Family
- Mating Call: Males call from burrows to attract females.
- Sticky Love: Females secrete a glue-like substance to keep males attached during mating.
- Eggs: Laid in burrows, hatching directly into froglets.
Conservation
- Status: Near threatened
- Threats: Habitat loss from urbanization and agriculture
- Help: Protect natural habitats and create frog-friendly gardens
Why They Matter
- Ecosystem Role: Aerate soil and control pets
- Charm: Their unique features and behaviors make them a joy to observe