Find the frog – can you identify this amphibian?
Numerous residents have reported visits to their homes by the largest of the tree frogs.
A Nelspruit Post Facebook user, Nicolene Pottas posted a photo of a small white-grey frog on what looks like a camping chair, and asked if anyone knew what type it was.
The genus Chiromantis comprises only three known species confined to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa.
The foam-nest frog – Chiromantis xerampelina – is the only species in South Africa and is confined to the northern bushveld, eastern Lowveld and south through Swaziland and northern KwaZulu-Natal to the coast. Its range extends from this area into northern territories.
These frogs are well adapted to a dry, arboreal life although they may frequently seek water. They will rarely be found swimming or sitting in water like many other frogs and toads, and are commonly found in and around buildings where lights attract a source of insect food.
With a variety of mottled patterns, they can change colour within a range of white to dark grey to match their background and are well camouflaged against tree bark.
Females grow much larger and can be double the weight of males.
