Above : four specimens photographed at Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo.
Family : RHACOPHORIDAE
Species : Rhacophorus pardalis
Size (snout to vent) :
Female 7.1 cm, Male 5.5 cm
References : H3 |
This attractive frog lives
in the canopy of tall, lowland rainforest, only coming to ground to breed in
suitable streams and pools. It is a foam nest builder.
This frog is one of a number of species which has evolved
extensive webbing between its fingers and toes : this allows it to glide
from branch to branch, or across breaks in the forest canopy.
The species is easily identified by its yellow flanks which are spotted with
black. Its dorsal surface and upperside of its legs are mottled medium
brown, sometimes with scattered, irregular white spots. Its underside is
pale pink. The webbing between its fingers and toes is red.
Its snout is short and rounded, and its eyes large with a yellowish or
orange iris.
The Harlequin Flying Frog occurs in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and
the Philippines.
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Above : a Harlequin Flying
Frog shows off its acrobatic prowess by balancing on and climbing up a slender
aerial root.
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