Frog: Foam Nest

[Arie]

I believe the most common name is Grey Tree Frog (Chiromantis xerampelina), but it is also called foam nest frog, grey foam nest fog, foam nest tree frog, african gray tree frog, etc.
The nests are fairly easy to find. Big balls of white foam hanging above water (so when eggs hatch the tadpoles fall into the water). If you look in the trees or bushes above the nests you might find the frogs, sleeping on the branches. But because of their color they are difficult to spot.
Most frogs I've seen are light grey, almost white. But as your (great) picture shows they occur in different colorations.
It is the only tree frog species occuring in the KNP.

[PhilQ]

Arie, that was a most helpful and informative reply.

These frogs must tolerate high temperatures and dry conditions, and they have evolved a highly waterproof skin, the ability to change color to a bright white that helps reflect sunlight, and a 'scrunched' posture shown here that minimizes surface area. This frog has not shifted to the 'white' color and is a camouflaged blotchy brown. They spend the day sitting on tree limbs.

[Guinea Pig]

Would this one I found hiding in the bird hide at Punda Maria be the same kind of frog then? Looks much the same:

Large

[Arie]

Yes indeed. I think this posture is more or less characteristic for this species. I have also seen them like this in the toilets at the Skukuza reception.

[Jumbo]

What is this?



There were two of these nests.

[Jakkalsbessie]

Hi Jumbo,

This is the nest of the Foam nest frog (Chiromantis xerampelina).

The frog lays its eggs in a foam nest which overhangs water as in your pics and when the eggs hatch the tadpoles drop into the water where they can feed and grow.

IIRC the foam nest frog is normaly grey or light brown but turns white during the day.

[Jay]

I wonder, is it true that all frogs have an almost toxic layer on their skin?
I know when my dogs had their first experience with frogs, they would come in frog in mouth, huge eyes and froth pouring out of their mouths
Then they would leave the poor frogs well alone after that.

[Anja]

night visitor at Olifants.

Large

(thanks Arie, Pilane & son for the identification!)

[katydownunder]

I need help with a Frog ID.
I only got the ''SASOL First Field Guide to Frogs Of Southern Africa'' and I fear this booklet isn't of any help here....
WE found his Little guy in our outdoor cupboard t Olifants Rest Camp in May.
Larger View

[Batmad]

The frog you have here is a foam nest frog.
These little guys are commonly found around the camps in Kruger. as you can see that they are whitish to light brown on the bottom and light to dark on the top.
I once saved one of these guys when we were in Letaba, he was sitting in the restaurant and i knew if he stayed there he would have got squished, so I moved him and put him in the bush

a lovely photo indeed.
PS. A good book to buy for frogs is frogs and frogging by Vincent Carrathurs, you get a CD of frog calls and a very informative description on each southern African frog.

[Suzz]

I've also seen them. Yes this is a frog and they lay their eggs in the foam. When it starts raining, the foam starts melting and the little toads fall into the water. Or that's what I've heard...

[bentley]

That does make sense, but why place it in a spot where other creatures, animals and the likes can get to it ?

[Suzz]

I don't know. Maybe the foam has a foul taste and the other animals leave it alone? Maybe somebody else can shed some light on the matter?