Theloderma corticale

Theloderma corticale
Theloderma corticale
Conservation status

Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Rhacophoridae
Genus: Theloderma
Species: T. corticale
Binomial name
Theloderma corticale
(Boulenger, 1903)
Synonyms

Rhacophorus corticalis Boulenger, 1903
Rhacophorus fruhstorferi Ahl, 1927

The Mossy Frog, Vietnamese Mossy Frog, or Tonkin Bug-eyed Frog (Theloderma corticale), is a species of frog in the Rhacophoridae family. It is found in Northern Vietnam and possibly China. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, and rocky areas. It is a semi-aquatic, semi-arboreal species that is threatened by habitat loss.

Description

The common name of the mossy frog arises from the fact that its skin is a mottled green and brown that resembles moss growing on rock, and forms an effective form of camouflage. They have large sticky pads on their toes and a soft underbelly. As with most Tree Frogs, the females will grow larger than the males and can reach sizes of 7–8 cm (3 inches). This species will curl into a ball when frightened, and play dead.

Three T. corticale camouflaged on a rock face.

Diet

The mossy frog is insectivorous and eats crickets, locusts, cockroaches, waxworms, moths and flies.

Mossy frog displaying camouflage adaptations

References