Red rain frog

Scaphiophryne gottlebei

TAXONOMY

Scaphiophryne gottlebei Busse and Böhme, 1992, Isalo, Vallée des Singes, Madagascar.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

None known.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The snout-vent length reaches 1.4 in (36 mm). This is a toadlet that is colored conspicuously with contrasting colors. Four pink or red symmetrically arranged patches surrounded by black and green are present on the dorsum. The flanks and legs are white with black bands on the legs. The venter is dark grayish violet. The tips of the fingers are distinctly enlarged. The skin on the back is smooth, and the tympanum is indistinct. The webbing between the toes and the inner metatarsal tubercle is well developed.

DISTRIBUTION

Known only from a small area of the Isalo massif in southwestern Madagascar.

HABITAT

Lives in eroded sandstone formations. In the Isalo massif, humid forests persist in canyons and on the slopes, although the climate is rather arid.

BEHAVIOR

Found under stones during the day in the rainy season. It probably estivates during the dry season. The expanded terminal finger disks may indicate partial climbing habits. Disturbed specimens inflate themselves, probably as a strategy to protect against predators.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

The diet in nature is unknown. In captivity the frog feeds on crickets and other insects.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Nothing is known, but probably an explosive breeder at the beginning of the rainy season. Recently metamorphosed juveniles have been found at the edge of stagnant ponds.

CONSERVATION STATUS

The species is not categorized by the IUCN and is not protected by CITES. However, because of the small known range, it may be considered potentially threatened.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

This beautiful frog is offered regularly in the international pet trade.