Ornate frog

Introduction: The Ornate frog (Hildebrandtia ornata) prefers a habitat of open bushveld, avoiding dense woodland and rocky terrain. They are a squat, heavily built amphibian that is very attractively marked, hence the name. Calls are a long, nasal squawk, with large choruses forming after the onset of rain.

Distribution: Etosha National Park, the Kavango region and the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip).

Diet: Insects.

Colouring: A dark brown body is covered with light-chocolate markings over the nose and between the eyes and wide green and light brown stripes over the back and legs. Additional blotches adorn the back. From the eye to the mouth is a characteristic, white, brown striped line.

Breeding: Ornate frogs begin breeding on the shallow edges of pools or vleis after the rains have begun. Tadpoles are large and remain in the water until the large tail disappears with growth.

Maximum size: 70mm.