Frog of the Week

Zombie Frog (Synapturanus zombie)

Zombie Frog
photo by Antoine Fouquet

Common Name: Zombie Frog
Scientific Name: Synapturanus zombie
Family: Microhylidae
Locations: French Guiana and Brazil
Male Size: 1.45 – 1.57 inches (37 – 40 mm)
Female Size: 1.52 – 1.65 inches (38.7 – 42.1 mm)

The Zombie Frog gets its name from the fact that they eat brains. Just kidding. They got their name because of the researchers who described them. Apparently, they didn’t pack well for the trip and was caught in a thunderstorm while digging in the ground with their bare hands.

Not much is confirmed about their mating habits. The males call before and during heavy rains just before the rainy season starts. Also, the males dig out a spot for themselves, spacing themselves out from each other by a few meters.

Currently, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List has not classified the species yet. Researchers who described the species have suggested it by placed in Data Deficient due to not having enough information.

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