Purple Frog l Extremely Reclusive Amphibian

Purple Frog, Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis — Source: https://bit.ly/2K4LZit Photo Credit: Unnikrishnan Nair P.K. CC License: https://bit.ly/2rvmJvv

Purple Frog Facts

Perhaps most notably, the clearly remarkable Purple Frog easily ranks as one of the most unusual lesser known amphibians in the entire world. That holds true, in large part, to the very nature of its particular habitat. In this, it’s truly a unique creature.
That’s because this amphibian actually spends the majority of its life underground. While many related species also dwell underground, few do so as extensively as this creature. Precisely why it took this evolutionary path, though, is unknown.
Sadly, however, this animal now finds itself facing multiple threats to its continued existence. Because of this truly lamentable fact, the IUCN currently lists the brilliantly colored amphibian as Endangered. That status appears on the organization’s Red List.
The threats the Purple Frog faces, though, remain numerous. These further include the ongoing reduction and degradation of its already restricted range. The escalating effects of such factors as climate change also undermine its chances of survival.

Black Rain Frog, Breviceps fuscus — Black Rain Frog

Mountain Chicken, Leptodactylus fallax — Black Rain Frog

Purple Frog Physical Description

To be perfectly clear, while truly impressive in many respects, the Purple Frog nevertheless remains a physically small species. Like numerous related species, the amphibian also displays a marked degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism.

In its case, though, the males remain quite significantly smaller than the females. In fact, the larger females attain an average length measuring about 3.5 in (9 cm). Meanwhile, however, the males of the species rarely exceed 1.2 in (3 cm) in overall body length.

Both genders additionally display a decidedly horizontally swollen looking body shape. This provides a most unusual appearance. As a result of this characteristic, the animal has an overall flattened body form. It also develops a relatively small head with a pointed snout.

Its most remarkable physical feature, however, easily remains its unique coloring. That’s due to the fact that adults of the Purple Frog typically display a darker grayish-purple color. But the majority of younger individuals often display a deep, bright purple color.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Nasikabatrachidae
Genus: Nasikabatrachus
Species: N. sahyadrensis

Purple Frog Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Not at all surprisingly, the amazing and reclusive Purple Frog inhabits a very specific portion of the world. This consists of the majority of the Western Ghats, in India, in Asia. However, even this represents an expansion of its previously supposed range of habitation.

The creature also inhabits every habitat type within the mountain range. This occurs due to the simple fact that the amphibian lives virtually its entire life underground. There, it feeds on a variety of insects, with its diet predominantly consisting of numerous termites.

In fact, the extremely reclusive animal only emerges from its underground habitat for a few days each year. This infrequent emergence occurs during the annual monsoon season. That’s because, at that time, instinct drives the amazing Purple Frog to the surface to mate.

Beyond these facts, however, researchers know very little of the biology of this species. Among the little known for certain is that males emerge near temporary streams formed by the torrential rains. After mating, eggs are laid in pools, usually among rocks.