Scaphiophryne gottlebei
Encyclopedia
Scaphiophryne gottlebei, commonly known as Malagasy Rainbow Frog, Ornate Hopper, Rainbow Burrowing Frog, Red Rain Frog, Gottlebe's Narrow-mouthed Frog, is one of the most highly decorated of the Madagascan
frog
s. In 2008, the Malagasy rainbow frog was named as "being among the rarest and most remarkable amphibians" on the planet by the Zoological Society of London
. Thousands are captured every year for the pet trade.
Adapted for both the underground and climbing lifestyles, the painted burrowing frog has horny tubercles on the underside of the hind feet to help with burrowing, and claws on the forefeet for clinging to vertical canyon walls. The frog can climb vertical rock faces to escape floods or predators. It is able to live under the ground up to 10 months living on insects.
The tadpoles are very conspicuous, quite big, and blackish.
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
s. In 2008, the Malagasy rainbow frog was named as "being among the rarest and most remarkable amphibians" on the planet by the Zoological Society of London
Zoological Society of London
The Zoological Society of London is a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats...
. Thousands are captured every year for the pet trade.
Characteristics
The painted burrowing frog is a small, roundish, brightly coloured species with a distinctive white, red, green and black pattern on the back. The skin of the back is very smooth, but the skin of the grey belly is a little bit rough. The ears are inconspicuous, but the eyes are prominent.Adapted for both the underground and climbing lifestyles, the painted burrowing frog has horny tubercles on the underside of the hind feet to help with burrowing, and claws on the forefeet for clinging to vertical canyon walls. The frog can climb vertical rock faces to escape floods or predators. It is able to live under the ground up to 10 months living on insects.
The tadpoles are very conspicuous, quite big, and blackish.