African Wildlife & Environment Issue 82

FAUNA, FLORA & WILDLIFE

BUBBLING KASSINA Kassina senegalensis

A common frog species found throughout South Africa, The Bubbling Kassina is found in most types of wetland areas, and also around dams and ponds. With their googly eyes and watery ‘ quoip ’ call - like a stone dropping into a bucket of water, these are the quintessential frog. Males start calling far from the water’s edge and once a female has been attracted, they make their way together to the water. Their tadpoles look like strange tropical fish. Unlike most frogs, the Bubbling Kassina doesn’t hop, it does a distinctive fast little jog/dash. Status: Least Concern.

NATALTREE FROG Leptopelis natalensis

Very recognisable on the east coast by their prominent, large red-orange eyes. Lime-green to pale brown in colour, often with emerald-green blotches. A large frog with long limbs and toes large, sticky discs – to help with climbing! The species inhabits leafy trees, like Strelitzias, but move to ground to lays their eggs in mud–tadpoles then wriggle through the mud to complete their development in open water. Status: Least Concern.

WATER LILY FROG Hyperolius pusillus

Almost translucent, this tiny frog glues its eggs safely between overlapping waterlily leaves and other floating vegetation. It breeds in shallow pans, ponds, vleis and dams where water lilies grow. There can be high levels of aggression between males as they butt one another with their vocal sacs. By filling your pond with plants of different shapes, sizes and textures you are creating a more diverse habitat that will attract a greater number of frog species. Status: Least Concern.

SPOTTED SHOVEL-NOSED FROG Hemisus guttatus

The striking Spotted Shovel-nosed Frog is rarely seen as it spends most of its time underground, emerging during heavy rainfall. Instead of feet, this species uses its hard nose like a spade to burrow forward into the ground. Females lay the eggs underground, and stay with them until they have hatched into tadpoles, which she then carries on her back to water. Status: NEAR THREATENED due to habitat loss.

24 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 82 (2022)