True Frogs: Ranidae

Physical characteristics: The pointed-tongue floating frog goes by several other names, including floating spotted frog, java frog, green puddle frog, and pearly-skin puddle frog. It has a fairly plump body and a short head that narrows to a somewhat-pointed snout. It has a pointed tongue. Many small bumps cover its back, head, and legs. It is usually dark brownish green, but is sometimes pinkish brown. Some of the frogs have a thin stripe down the middle of the back. Although the webbing of their feet is thin and may be difficult to see, it is there and stretches fully between their pointy toes. Males and females look much alike, except that the males develop rough pads during the mating season. Adults reach about 1.5 inches (3.9 centimeters) long from snout to rump.

Geographic range: It lives in southeastern Asia, including southern China, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

The pointed-tongue floating frog goes by several other names, including floating spotted frog, java frog, green puddle frog, and pearly-skin puddle frog. (Illustration by Jacqueline Mahannah. Reproduced by permission.)

Habitat: It is believed to spend most of its time in the water of slow-moving streams, marshes, wet rice paddies, and other wetland areas. These areas are often surrounded by grasslands.

Diet: Scientists are not sure what it eats.

Behavior and reproduction: Scientists know little about its behavior outside of the breeding season. During breeding, males call with two short notes. Females answer the calls, and male and female pairs form. The male climbs onto the female's back and grips her by her front legs. She then lays her small eggs. The eggs hatch into long, pointy-snouted, small-mouthed tadpoles. The tadpoles grow in the water until they turn into froglets.

Pointed-tongue floating frogs and people: People rarely see this frog.

Conservation status: The IUCN does not consider this frog to be at risk. It lives over a large area and is usually quite common. ∎