Bushveld rain frog

Introduction: Bushveld Rain frogs (Breviceps adspersus adspersus) have characteristic hardened, horny projections on each heel, enabling them to dig backwards into the ground, allowing them to disappear from sight.

Distribution: North-eastern Namibia in a forest savannah and woodland type vegetation regions, including Etosha National Park, Kavango region, Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip).

Diet: Ants and termites are attracted to light after a thunderstorm. Rain frogs then emerge from their underground taverns to feed.

Colouring: Yellow or orange colour, with dark brown spots on the back. A white stripe sometimes exists from nose to the back of the vent and a light band between the eyes. The underside is white and the throat of the male is dark.

Breeding: Between 20 to 46 creamy, white eggs are laid in a nest. Tadpoles take about a week to form and when the back legs are fully developed, the tadpole becomes pigmented except for the white tail. When the fore legs break out, the tail is absorbed and the young dig their way out of the tunnel. This process of metamorphosis takes about 4 to 6 weeks.

Maximum size: 60mm.