Kalakad Flying Frog

Rhacophorus calcadensis

The Kalakad gliding frog or Langbian flying frog is a species of frog in the Rhacophoridae family endemic to the southern Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu states, India. Its name refers to its type locality, the town of Kalakkad in Tamil Nadu.
Kalakkad glider An endemic and endangered species of gliding frog first described from The morphology is similar to the widely distributed malabar gliding frog. But the colors vary. The normal coloration is darker with algae like texture on the dorsal side. They were 3-4 males calling but no signs of any female or may be we missed to spot one! Kalakad gliding frog,Rhacophorus calcadensis,amphibian,endangered,endemic,frog,gliding frog,india,northwest monsoon,tamil nadu,westernghats,wild

Appearance

Their size ranges from 20 to 90 mm. Dorsal coloration is pale greenish-brown with mottling on the flanks. The underbelly is fawn to pale green. Webbing of similar coloration exists between the fingers and toes. Skin flaps are found on fore and hind limbs, with a spur on each hind limb.

Distribution

Southern India in the Western Ghats including parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Status

Endangered

Habitat

Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests, montane forests, and rivers. It is observed over heights of 30 m in the forest canopy during the day. They breed before or after monsoon seasons by descending to shallow pools or slow-flowing streams. Groups of four or five males vocalize around females. The call is a moderately loud "chuch-chrrr-chuck-chuck-chuck". They build foam nests on vegetation hanging over shallow pools of water. The nest is similar to, but smaller in size, than that of ''Rhacophorus malabaricus''.

It is threatened by habitat loss.

References:

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Status: Endangered
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAmphibia
OrderAnura
FamilyRhacophoridae
GenusRhacophorus
SpeciesR. calcadensis
Photographed in
India