Long-nosed horned frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Long-nosed horned frog |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pelobatrachus
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| Species: |
nasutus
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| Synonyms | |
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Megophrys nasuta |
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The long-nosed horned frog is a unique amphibian. It's also called the Malayan horned frog or Malayan leaf frog. This special frog lives in the warm, wet rainforests of southern Thailand and Malaysia. You can also find it in Singapore, Sumatra, and Borneo. Some frogs found in Thailand might be a different, unnamed species.
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About its Name
Scientists sometimes change how they group animals. This frog used to be in the Megophrys group. In 2021, it was moved to the Pelobatrachus group. This new name helps us understand its family better.
What Does the Horned Frog Look Like?
This frog is quite large, growing up to 100 to 120 mm long. That's about the length of a smartphone! Its skin is light to dark brown. It has many patterns that help it blend in perfectly with the forest floor. This makes it very hard to spot.
The frog's throat is dark brown or black. This color fades into a creamy yellow on its belly. Its upper eyelids and snout stick out. They form long, pointy shapes that look like "horns." This is how the frog got its common name.
The long-nosed horned frog also has two pairs of skin folds on its back. One pair starts behind its eyes and goes almost to its legs. The other pair begins at the corner of its eyes. It ends about halfway down its body. Its back also has bumpy spots called tubercles. Its arms and legs have stripes and skin folds. They are mottled with cream and different shades of brown. The frog's toes have a little bit of webbing. Its fingers are completely free of webbing. Its ear drum, called the tympanum, is hard to see. Its eyes have a pretty golden-brown color.
Life in the Rainforest
These frogs love cool, damp places. They live in lowland and submontane rainforests. You'll often find them hiding among fallen leaf litter on the ground.
Frog Calls
The long-nosed horned frog makes a very loud sound. It's like a metallic "honk" or "henk." This sound echoes through the forest.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Breeding happens in streams. Female frogs lay their eggs under rocks or logs. These rocks or logs are partly or fully underwater. The eggs are large, but there aren't many of them.
What Do Horned Frogs Eat?
This frog is a clever hunter. It often stays very still on the forest floor. It waits for an animal to pass by without noticing it. Then, it quickly lunges out and swallows its prey. They usually eat spiders, small rodents, lizards, and even other frogs.
Similar Frogs
It's hard to confuse this frog with other types of frogs. You can tell it apart from other Pelobatrachus and Megophrys frogs. Just look for its long nose and the two pairs of skin folds on its back.
