This frog may seem like it’s mad and grumpy to you about something, but it actually looks like that because of a perpetual frown face.
The grouchy-faced amphibian looks a bit intimidating, doesn’t he? But, don’t worry-it doesn’t want to hurt you, it’s just the way they are!
Known as the Black Rain Frog, this burrowing amphibian is native to the southern coast in Africa. This species can burrow to make tunnels up to 150 mm of depth!
The female frogs also have an unusual mating process-they secrete a special sticky substance from their back to prevent the male frogs from falling during intercourse.
The Most Unusual-Looking Frog
During the mating season, the male frogs stay in the burrow and protect the eggs and send out chirps as calls.
And, they have quite a unique defense mechanism from predators-when someone tries to grab or scar them, they puff themselves up with air and make the body more round.
The frog ends up looking like a small balloon!
The good news is that this African black rain frog known as the Breviceps fuscus doesn’t look grumpy because it’s sad, scared or anything like that-it just looks like that.
Where Could You See this Frog in Its Natural Habitat?
To see them for yourself, you may need to travel to Cape Fold Belt in South Africa and reach 3,300 feet height. And, they’re not easy to find as they’re burrowing species.
If you’re looking to spot them in the wild, they’re most active from late November to early January, which also happens to be their mating period.
Interestingly, these frogs don’t have tadpoles but rather lay their eggs in small clutches underground.
From these clutches, small froglets are hatched and they never go through the tadpole phase.
Sources:
