The Desert Rain Frog

The desert rain frog, Boulenger’s short-headed frog, or web-footed rain frog is a species of frog found in Namibia and South Africa. Its natural habitat is the small strip of sandy shores between the sea and the sand dunes. It is severely threatened by habitat loss. They also have quite a fierce war cry and angry posture when they feel threatened. See more below.

First the Stats…

Scientific name: Breviceps macrops
Weight: .4 ounces
Length: Up to 2.4 inches
Lifespan: Up to 15 years

Now on to the Facts!

1.) Their name is almost oxymoronic, in that it barely ever rains where these little critters live. But they do come out when it rains, so it kind of fits.

2.) Similar to the glass frog, the rain frog has a transparent patch making its internal organs visible.

3.) Spending the day buried in sand, this nocturnal (active at night) frog comes out at night to feed and mate.

4.) The desert rain frog uses its paddle shaped feet to dig its burrows.

5.) Mating season last from late summer to early fall.

But wait, there’s more on the desert rain frog!

6.) After mating, the female Desert Rain Frog lays around 12 to 40 eggs.

7.) They eat beetles, insects, and their larvae.

Did you know…?
The desert rain frog develops directly from the egg to adult; passing over the tadpole phase unlike other species of frogs.

8.) Even though it doesn’t really rain much at all where they live, it does routinely get very foggy at night. This adds moisture to the sand in which these frogs dig and live.

9.) Humans are their greatest threat and are at risk of extinction due to human encroachment.

10.) Due to their short legs, they cannot hop or jump. They instead have to walk.

But wait, there’s still more on the desert rain frog!

11.) The breeding season runs from June – October.

12.) Females lay up to 40 eggs. When the eggs hatch, the hatchlings skip the tadpole phase and are born as froglets.

Now a Short Desert Rain Frog Video!

Learn more about all kinds of cool critters here.

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