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Amphibians reach their greatest diversity in the moist, warm tropical rainforest and freshwater swamp forest habitats. In Southeast Asia a remarkable evolutionary explosion of amphibians has resulted in a great diversity of form, colour and lifestyle. At a rough estimate, there are probably more than 1200 species of frog in the region; they are to be found in the shallowest puddles, hiding under leaf litter, making their foam nests in streamside vegetation or calling from treeholes. 

Amphibians reach their greatest evolutionary expression in the diverse family of Asian tree frogs (Rhacophoridae), which includes the spectacular flying frogs. Equally remarkable are the tiny narrow-mouthed frogs or chorus frogs (Microhylidae);  these are often heard but are difficult to locate, as they measure just 2 cm long. Their jumping ability is remarkable; they can easily leap more than a metre or so i.e. more than 50 times body length !

Representative examples of Southeast Asia's amphibians are presented here, including highly elusive caecilians. Examples from Papua New Guinea are compiled on a separate page.

Asiatic tailed caecilians  (Ichthyophiidae)

True toads  (Bufonidae)   Members of the toad family are recognizable by their rough, warty skin (although this feature is not exclusive to toads). They possess a pair of raised, paratoid glands behind the eye, which secrete a cocktail of toxins when the toad is stressed, and which makes them unpalatable or poisonous to most predators. As of 2024, AmphibiaWeb lists 655 species in this family, of which more than 60 occur in Southeast Asia.  Examples :
 

  
Litter frogs, horned frogs etc.  (Megophryidae)   Globally, around 250 species of frog belong to this family, of which more than 100 occur in Southeast Asia.  They tend to inhabit forest floor settings, often hiding amongst leaf litter.  Some possess remarkable camouflage which mimics dead leaves, the Malayan Horned Frog Pelobatrachus nasutus being the best example of this adaptation.  Examples:
 

  
Fanged frogs etc.  (Dicroglossidae)   Nearly 250 species of frog in 14 genera are includedin this family. In Southeast Asia there are more than 100 species, mainly in the genera Ferjervarya, Limnonectes and Occidozyga.  Fanged frogs (or fork-tongued frogs) are so-called because they possess a notched tongue and a pair of sharp projections on the lower jaw. Most species are patterned in various shades of brown. Some species can adapt well to man-made, highly altered habitats.   Examples :
 

  
Typical frogs  (Ranidae)   With nearly 500 species worldwide, the family Ranidae includes many examples which have a body shape best described as that of a 'typical' frog i.e. they have a pointed snout, elongated body and long hind legs which makes them excellent jumpers.  There are more than 150 species in Southeast Asia, many of which are attractively patterned with spots and stripes and are various shades of green and brown. Nearly all are stream or swamp-forest dwellers.   Examples :
 

 
Asian tree frogs   (Rhacophoridae)   Around 500 species of frog are included in this family, of which more than 100 occur in Southeast Asia: these are mainly arboreal tree frogs, many of which lay their eggs in bubble nests suspended from vegetation. The group includes numerous species of Philautus, known as bush frogs, but the most spectacular are the Rhacophorus flying frogs which have evolved extensive webbing between their toes which allows them to glide from tree to tree, high up in the canopy.  Examples :
  

 
Narrow-mouthed frogs  (Microhylidae)  With nearly 700 species, this is one of the largest of frog families. Within Southeast Asia this family is dominated by tiny, terrestrial frogs of the genus Microhyla (and Glyphoglossus), which spend much of their lives concealed in areas of waterlogged grass, or beneath leaf litter. Larger frogs include members of the genus Kaloula. In eastern Indonesia and New Guinea this family includes an abundance of species of the genera Austrochaperina, Callulops, Cophixalus, Hylophorbus, Oreophryne and others. Examples of these can be viewed in the New Guinea Frogs pages. Below are some examples from western parts of Southeast Asia :
  

See also ... Frogs of Papua New Guinea