Asiatic Painted Frog

Description: A medium-sized frog, up to 7.5 cm long. Stout to obese in proportions. Ground colour dark chocolate-brown above, with a broad chevron-shaped marking bordering the sides. This marking ranges from dirty mustard to orange or pink. Young specimens more brightly coloured. A few tubercles scattered over the dorsum. A chocolate-brown streak runs down the lower sides of the head, beginning just behind each eye. Underside mottled brown. Hind feet have horny plates, acting as 'spades' for digging.

Habits and habitat: Although primarily a burrower, has well-developed suction discs on its fore feet to enable it to climb fairly steep surfaces. Has been found in drainage holes in catchwaters, at a considerable height from ground level, and even on trees. Despite its burrowing habits, is not very secretive. Inhabits low-lying areas. Usually found in cultivated fields and surrounding woodlands, especially around ponds and water tanks. Commonly seen in the open by night. Hides beneath objects in damp soil during the day, but may at time be found in rather dry places far from water. Often found at night sitting in front of moving ant columns, and occasionally seizing and gulping down individual ants. When captured, rapidly inflates itself with air and may make faint squeaking noises. Exudes a thick, very sticky fluid which makes the frog unpalatable to would-be predators. Has very few enemies, except the Chinese Cobra.

Diet: Feeds on ants and termites. In captivity does well on mealworms, crickets, beetles and earthworms.

Reproduction: Breeds throughout the warmer months after heavy rains. Tadpoles dark, very fat and squarish in shape, with a thin tail. The breeding call of the male is a loud bellowing sound. Newly metamorphosed frogs without the chevron-shaped marking, but with a pale spot on the axillae.

Distribution: Common in New Territories, on Lantau Island and also a few of the smaller islands; uncommon on Hong Kong Island. Quite abundant on Cheung Chau. Distributed from South India and Sri Lanka to extreme southern China, and south to Malaysia. Apparently introduced into Indonesia.

Diagnostic features: Triangular body shape; a wide, uniformly brown blotch mid-dorsally, bordered by orange margins; short pointed snout; hind feet armed with spade-like plates for digging.