Kingdom Animalia Subfamily Cacosterninae Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Family Pyxicephalidae Scientific name Natalobatrachus bonebergi Higher classification Natalobatrachus Order Frog | |
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Genus Natalobatrachus
Methuen & Hewitt, 1912 Similar Frog, Cacosternum, Natal banana frog, Hogsback frog, Arthroleptella | ||
Natalobatrachus bonebergi, known under common names such as Natal diving frog, Boneberg's frog, or 'Kloof frog (Afrikaans: Kloofpadda), is a species of frog in the Pyxicephalidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Natalobatrachus. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and rivers and it is threatened by habitat loss.
Contents
This is a small- to medium-sized frog, females reaching 37 mm and males 25 mm in length.
Distribution and habitat
The frog's habitat is restricted to south eastern South Africa, where it ranges from the Dwesa Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape to Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve and other reserves in south and central KwaZulu-Natal province, only found below 900 m above sea level. The habitat of the frog consists of ground-coastal bush and gallery bush: especially afforestation strips along rivers.
Reproduction
Mating occurs in streams and eggs are attached to branches hanging over the water, in egg clutches that looks like bales of foam. After hatching, the tadpoles fall down into the water where they develop further into small frogs.
Threatened status
Natalobatrachus bonebergi is a rare and endangered species. Deterioration of reproduction water and pollution of its habitat impact negatively on its survival rate. In addition, large parts of its range made way for sugarcane plantations, forestry and other forms of cultivation. The frog can not survive in open areas, it needs moist places around rivers or coastal areas.