Marbled Pigmy Frog

Description: A small frog, with a maximum length of 5 cm. Is the largest of the three Hong Kong Microhyla species. Body shape strongly triangular. Ground colour creamy, but is barely visible due to fine wavy stripes forming a chevron pattern over the back. Within this pattern is a triangular, dark brown marking, boldly outlined in black, and with many greyish spots and stripes. Flanks dark brown, sparsely mottled with larger black and finer white spots. A dark brown lateral streak extends from eyes to groin. Chin mottled with dark brown, Underside white. Groin and vent area lemon-yellow, varying in intensity in different specimens. Hind legs stippled with light and dark brown markings. The general dorsal appearance of this frog is that of grey marble.

Habits and habitat: Found in many habitats, from cultivated fields to grassland to forest edge. Occasionally found under large stones on open hillsides during the hot summer season. A nocturnal species.

Diet: Feeds on tiny insects such as ants and termites.

Reproduction: Breeding period from April to September. The eggs are minute and can be seen floating as a thin film on the water surface in quiet pools from April onwards. Mating call is a rapid succession of loud staccato notes. Tadpoles transparent and guitar-shaped.

Distribution: A common species, ranging over most of the territory, but rather restricted on Hong Kong Island. Occurs at all elevations, on the mainland as well as on several islands. Distributed over central and southern China, and Thailand.

Diagnostic features: Triangular body shape; tiny head; black streak between the eyes; chevron-like pale area along margins of dorsum, heavily lined, and enclosing a central triangular dark area; groin area and base of hind legs bright yellow.