False Malabar Gliding Frog

About the False Malabar Gliding Frog

Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus, also known as Anaimalai flying frog, false Malabar gliding frog, and false Malabar tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to the Anaimalai Hills, a part of the southern the Western Ghats in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala states, India.

Adult males measure 47–54 mm (1.9–2.1 in) and adult females 66–72 mm (2.6–2.8 in) in snout–vent length. The eyes are protruding. The supra-tympanic fold is distinct. The fingers and toes are extensively webbed; the webbing is light yellow to red-orange in color. Juveniles have distinctive black zebra-like pattern that becomes fainter in adults, resembling venation of leaf; the background colour is green. Scientists note that this is the only species in Rhacophorus to resemble a leaf in this way and speculate its purpose is camouflage.

Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus has been recorded in tropical moist evergreen forest, in secondary forests on the fringe of abandoned cardamom plantation, in a marshy area beside a perennial stream outside a cardamom plantation, and near an artificial water hole between the evergreen forest and tea plantation. Specimens... Wikipedia →