Latest news with #MalabarGlidingFrog
The Hindu
24-07-2025
- The Hindu
Reptiles and amphibians of the rainy season
Malabar Gliding Frog South: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and southern Maharashtra A frog that has webbed feet, builds nests of foam, can glide, and is found only in the Western Ghats? One of the most distinctive Indian amphibians, the Malabar Gliding Frog, can be found on trees alongside streams in the dense evergreen forests of the Western Ghats. It can be identified by its large bulging eyes, bright green colour and big size. During the monsoon, females make special foam nests on overhanging branches near streams and pools. When the tadpoles hatch, they dive into the water. These frogs can glide smoothly among the trees, covering the length of a bus during their glides! Bombay Shieldtail West: Maharashtra-Satara District, Konkan Found in the northern part of the Western Ghats, this unassuming and secretive snake lives underground, eats earthworms and has a flat, pan-like tail. Found in the forests of the Sahyadri Mountains, it uses its distinctive shield-like tail — which gives it its name — to burrow underground and hunt its favourite prey: earthworms! With the monsoon being its breeding time, it is more active on the surface. With a beautiful black and white scale pattern, it confuses its predators by curling into a ball, leaving them unable to make head or tail of it. Himalayan Rock Agama North: Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh A hardy lizard that turns a gorgeous blue during the breeding season, the Himalayan Rock Agama is not as famous as its relative, the 'Draco' Flying Lizard. No stranger to high altitudes, the agama survives the harsh Himalayan winter by hiding in crevices and rocks and 'slowing down' its body processes to reduce energy wastage. Once winter ends, it steps out to feast on the abundant insects and berries found in the warmth of the summer sun. Cope's Assam Frog East: Northeastern India Named in honour of the American reptile scientist Cope, this small nocturnal forest-dwelling frog is an expert jumper, leaping up to at least 10 times its body length! It loves to eat insects and its body is a varying olive-green and dark brown in colour. The adults are found in thick vegetation or even in plantations, near water bodies. The male has a distinct rattling call like that of machine-gun fire. Its tadpoles are aquatic and expert swimmers found in pools and swamps.
India.com
26-06-2025
- India.com
Rain Brings Them Out: 8 Colorful Frogs That Appear Only During Monsoon
photoDetails english 2922634 The monsoon season awakens a vibrant world of frogs that remain hidden throughout the year. Still, these colorful amphibians, from bright reds to electric blues, emerge only during the rains to breed and thrive in the monsoon season. And they are found across India's lush forests and wetlands. These rare monsoon frogs are a stunning reminder of nature's hidden beauty and biodiversity. Updated:Jun 26, 2025, 04:42 PM IST Malabar Gliding Frog: 1 / 8 This vibrant green frog with webbed red feet and a yellow belly is found in the Western Ghats and it uses its webbed limbs to glide from tree to tree and appears during the monsoon to breed in water-filled tree holes. Amboli Bush Frog: 2 / 8 This species of frog is small but striking and known for its bright green color and distinctive calls during the rainy season. This frog is native to Maharashtra's Amboli region and also its often spotted perched on leaves specially after sundown. Coorg Yellow Bush Frog: 3 / 8 Coorg Yellow Bush Frog: This frog stays in the Coorg region, you can spot this frog with its bright yellow skin and specially as it appears during the monsoon for mating. The loud croaks of this frog can be heard through the coffee plantations and also the forested areas. Kalakad Narrow-mouthed Frog: 4 / 8 These frogs can be found mainly in the southern Western Ghats and they are olive-green to brown in color with striking orange emerge from the forest floor to breed in temporary monsoon pools during rainy season. Purple Frog: 5 / 8 These are the unique species of frogs and can be found rarely. They have a bloated body and pointed snout. And usually they spend most of their time underground and can only be seen on the surface during the monsoon season. And only for fews days to mate. Golden-backed Frog: 6 / 8 These beautiful frogs are shiny and golden-striped and this frog thrives in rice paddies and wetlands especially during the rainy season. The golden back of these frogs helps to camouflage with reeds and grasses usually when they loudly call their mates to attract. Wrinkled Balloon Frog: 7 / 8 They seem chubby with wrinkled skin and they appear the first heavy rains. They are also known for their balloon-like bodies. It lives in burrows and emerges at night during monsoon to feed and reproduce. Ponmudi Bush Frog: 8 / 8 They are tiny and also brilliantly colored and they are endemic to the Ponmudi hills in Kerala. Also they show up only during the rainy season and are often heard more than they are seen. And the reason why they can be heard is because of their loud bell-like voice.
