Smoky Jungle Frog (Leptodactylus pentadactylus)

Common Name: Smoky Jungle Frog
Scientific Name: Leptodactylus pentadactylus
Family: Leptodactylidae
Location: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, and Suriname
Size: 7.2 inches (185 mm)

The Smoky Jungle Frog is one of the largest frogs in the world, with females reaching over 7 inches long while males are slightly smaller. The frogs have a long life span that can reach over 15 years.

Mating takes place during the rainy months, May to November. The males call out from the waters edge at the start of dusk. Once the female approaches, the male grasps her from behind in amplexus position. Then, the female creates a foam nest for the eggs. These foam nests protect the eggs from drying out. Next, she lays around a thousand eggs in the nest. Not all eggs are fertilized, when the tadpoles emerge, they eat the unfertilized eggs.

The super power of the Smoky Jungle Frog is its anti predator defense system where its able to secrete vast amounts of mucus when attacked. Besides the mucus being gross,  it is also toxic so any predator won’t want to eat them.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assesses the Smoky Jungle Frog as Least Concern for Extinction. The frog has a wide range and are presumed numerous throughout it.