Gunther's Frog

Description: A large frog, up to 10 cm in body length. Back pale brown or reddish-brown, with two prominent dorsolateral folds. Skin smooth. A dark brown stripe extends from the tip of the snout, backwards, along the lower edge of the dorsolateral folds, to the angle of the hind legs. The stripe may also be reddish-brown. From the tip of the snout to the axilla, this stripe has a brown 'mask' in front of, and behind, the eye. White spots sometimes present on the lips. Sides mottled brown on a whitish or yellowish background. Underside white. Hind legs banded dark brown. Sides of legs speckled back and yellow.

Habits and habitat: A very common frog in cultivated areas, ponds, big streams and irrigation ditches. Predominantly a lowland species but also occurs up to 900 m. Prefers mostly still or slow-flowing water. Frequently wanders far from water and may sometimes be found in rather dry places. Occasionally seen perched on trees or resting inside the drainage holes of catchwaters, showing that it is capable of climbing. Exudes a rather toxic fluid, which can kill smaller frogs in a confined space. The fluid has an obnoxious smell, but is not harmful to humans.

Diet: Feeds on insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches and earthworms. In captivity has been observed to eat small frogs such as Rana limnochiris and Amolops.

Reproduction: Starts to breed in early spring around April. Tadpoles quite large and brownish, up to 3.5 cm long. The young frogs, about 2 cm long, are exact replicas of the adult.

Distribution: Very widespread in Hong Kong. Also widely distributed in central and southern China including Taiwan and Vietnam.

Diagnostic features: generally brown in colour; pointed snout; brown-coloured lateral folds; boldly banded hind legs.