Forest rain frog

The forest rain frog (Breviceps sylvestris) is a species of frog in the family Brevicipitidae. It is endemic to Limpopo, South Africa. Two allopatric subspecies are recognized: the nominate one, Breviceps sylvestris sylvestris, and Breviceps sylvestris taeniatus Poynton, 1963 from near Soutpansberg.[2] Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate grassland, and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss.[1]

Not to be confused with Rainforest frog.

Forest rain frog
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Brevicipitidae
Genus: Breviceps
Species:
B. sylvestris
Binomial name
Breviceps sylvestris

Forest rain frogs can range in colour from red, orange, yellow, green, and purple. They can also vary in size from a mere 2 cm and grow to be about 10 cm in body length. The purple frogs are known to contain a defense mechanism consisting of a toxic chemical on their slimy exterior. If contact is made with this toxin the temporary effect of paralysis can occur.

References
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group; South African Frog Re-assessment Group (SA-FRoG) (2010). "Breviceps sylvestris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2012.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Breviceps sylvestris FitzSimons, 1930". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 19 October 2014.


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