Order Anura Higher classification Breviceps | Phylum Chordata Scientific name Breviceps adspersus Rank Species | |
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Similar Frog, Breviceps, Desert rain frog, Amphibians, Forest rain frog | ||
Bushveld rain frog breviceps adspersus
Breviceps adspersus (common rain frog or bushveld rain frog) is a species of frog in the family Brevicipitidae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, moist savanna, temperate shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, temperate grassland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, arable land, pastureland, plantations, and urban areas.
Contents
- Bushveld rain frog breviceps adspersus
- Bushveld rain frog breviceps adspersus in a photo tent
- Description
- References
Bushveld rain frog breviceps adspersus in a photo tent
Description
The common rain frog lives underground, only emerging to feed and mate after a rain, usually at nighttime. Its body is stout and globular, with a flattened face. The color of this species is either light or dark brown, with rows of lighter yellow orange patches, with darker borders. It also has the short, stout limbs typical of most burrowing frogs and toads. However, its back feet are like spades and are able to dig up to 20 inches below ground. If attacked, the frog inflates and lodges itself firmly inside of the burrow. The females are also much larger than males. Since the male cannot grip the female during mating because of the size difference, the female secretes a kind of glue from her back to keep the mating pair together. The stuck-together pair burrow backwards into the soil until they reach a moist spot. Once a suitable spot is reached, the female lays her eggs. The eggs hatch directly into froglets instead of tadpoles. They are 1½ to 2¼ inches long (3 to 6 centimeters).
The common rain frog inhabits temperate forests and open grasslands of southeast Africa. They are a terrestrial species. These frogs only breed in the rainy season. The population of this species is stable, and listed as "locally common".
