Painted Reed Frog
Hyperolius marmoratus
During the day, they tuck their brightly colored legs under their bodies and turn almost completely white to reflect sunlight and prevent overheating.
- Scientific name
- Hyperolius marmoratus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Amphibia › Anura › Hyperoliidae › Hyperolius
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Subtropical and tropical wetlands, seasonal pans, vleis, and garden ponds with abundant emergent vegetation.
- Diet
- Mainly small flying insects, ants, termites, and flies.
- Range
- South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini
- Size
- 2.5 - 4.3 cm
- Lifespan
- 3-5 years
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Wetland degradation, water pollution from agricultural runoff, and urbanization.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to humans, though their skin secretes a mild mucus that can irritate sensitive areas like the eyes. Observe them from a safe distance of 1-2 meters. If handled, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately.
The marbled reed frog or painted reed frog ( Hyperolius marmoratus ) is a species of frogs in the family Hyperoliidae found in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe, and Botswana, Lesotho, and Tanzania. It occurs in a wide range of natural habitats, including forests, savannas, shrublands, grasslands, rivers, swamps, freshwater lakes, and intermittent freshwater lakes. It coexists well with humans, and is also found in pastureland, rural gardens, and urban areas. Its range appears to be...
Photo: Wynand Uys, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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