Common Name: Spotted Reed Frog, Zanzibar Reed Frog
Scientific Name: Hyperolius puncticulatus
Family: Hyperoliidae – African Tree Frog family
Location: Tanzania
Female Size: 1.2 – 1.5 inches (30 – 37 mm)
Male Size: 0.8 -1.1 inches (21 – 29 mm)
The Spotted Reed Frog lives in the western part of Zanzibar, Tanzania. It inhabits a variety of environments, including bushland, dry forests, and wet forests.
This frog has two distinct coloration phases. In the J phase, juveniles and some adult males are brown to green, with either an hourglass-shaped marking or a pair of lines running down the back. Before the first breeding season, all females and some males transition to the F phase, which features a variety of colors and patterns.
During the mating season, the male frogs call from vegetation near water pools. Once the female frog arrives, the pair move to the pool. Then, the male frog grasps the female frog from behind in amplexus. Next, the female frog lays her eggs and the male frog fertilizes them. After mating, both parents leave and provide no parental care.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assesses the Spotted Reed Frog as Endangered with Extinction. Its limited geographic range is threatened by habitat destruction. Forests are cleared to make way for farms and settlements, while trees are also harvested for timber.