Ghatixalus variabilis

Ghatixalus variabilis

''Ghatixalus variabilis'' is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India. It has a number of common names, including green tree frog, though it is terrestrial rather than arboreal in its life style.
Tattooed An adult variable ghat frog is full of patterns which looks like as if its tattooed. They can be seen in shades of green and brown with varying degree of blotches. Like other tree frogs these also build foam nests and undergo complete metamorphosis i.e., tadpole->frog-let->adult These frogs are endemic and as per IUCN status they are endangered. Ghatixalus variabilis,endangered,endemic,frog,greatnature,incredibleIndia,western ghats,wild

Appearance

Male ''Ghatixalus variabilis'' grow to a snout-vent length of 41–51 mm and females to about 67 mm . Males have nuptial spines. The colour is variable, even within a single location. The dorsum has a colour pattern characterized by prominent dark brown blotches.

''Ghatixalus variabilis'' build spherical foams nests that are suspended up to 3 m above the water. Tadpoles hatch within the foam and drop to the water after a few days.
Patternless - Variable ghat froglet Frogs exhibit various color forms in its various meta-morphological stages especially the frogs of genus Rhacophorus. The juveniles are very colorful than the adults. They are just amazing!! Ghatixalus species also exhibit color variation but the tadpoles and frog-lets are not as colorful as that of Rhacophorus species. They are completely pattern-less which is in total contrast with the adults. Ghatixalus variabilis,Variable ghat froglet,amphibian,endangered,endemic,frog,nilgiris,tamil nadu,western ghats

Distribution

''Ghatixalus variabilis'' is only known from the Nilgiri hills , Tamil Nadu, India. They are found in evergreen montane forest patches at high altitudes. They are only found very near mountain streams, either on ground or low in the vegetation. When disturbed they escape to the water.

Their habitat is threatened by fragmentation due to agricultural and logging activities as well as rural and/or urban development.

Habitat

''Ghatixalus variabilis'' is only known from the Nilgiri hills , Tamil Nadu, India. They are found in evergreen montane forest patches at high altitudes. They are only found very near mountain streams, either on ground or low in the vegetation. When disturbed they escape to the water.

Their habitat is threatened by fragmentation due to agricultural and logging activities as well as rural and/or urban development.

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Status: Endangered
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAmphibia
OrderAnura
FamilyRhacophoridae
GenusGhatixalus
SpeciesG. variabilis
Photographed in
India