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 statement holds true, in large part, due to the very nature of its particular habitat. In this, the animal remains a unique creature.
- That’s because this stunning amphibian actually spends the majority of its life underground. While many related species around the world also dwell beneath the soil, few do so as extensively as this creature. Precisely why it took this evolutionary path, though, is unknown.
- The highly colorful creature received its notably descriptive common name due to the combined efforts of Biju & Bossuyt, two widely respected Indian researchers. The duo achieved the first recognition of the animal as a separate and distinct species in the year 2003.
- 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 of Threatened Species.
- The threats to its continued survival that 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.
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Purple Frog Physical Description
The breathtaking Purple Frog understandably immediately captures the attention and imagination of those individuals fortunate enough to encounter the marvel. It typically does so, however, due to more to its startling pattern of coloring than size. That’s because it’s a small variety of frog.
In this respect, though, the amazing animal also follows a pattern of evolution shared by many of its kindred around the world. That’s manifested in the fact that the remarkable amphibian displays a certain degree of the physiological characteristic known to science as sexual dimorphism.
In its case, though, the males of the species remain significantly smaller than their female counterparts. In fact, the larger females attain an average length measuring approximately 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 of this marvel additionally display a decidedly horizontally swollen looking body shape. This distinctive form provides a most unusual appearance. As a result of this trait, the animal boasts an overall flattened body form. It also develops a relatively small head with a pointed snout.
Its most remarkable physical feature, however, easily remains the extremely unique coloring. That’s due to the fact that adult examples of the Purple Frog typically display a darker grayish-purple color. But the majority of younger individuals most frequently display avery 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
The stunning Purple Frog evolved as endemic to only a very limited section of the surface of the earth. That precise location for this zone of habitation, however, might surprise some of you. That’s true since the natural marvel evolved as native to a very small section of the continent of Asia.
There, the moderately diminutive amphibian inhabits a small territorial range that consists of the majority of the Western Ghats, in the country of India. Even within this small region of presence, however, currently represents an expansion of its previously supposed range of habitation.
The remarkable small creature also inhabits every habitat type found within the mountain range. This occurs due to the simple fact that the amphibian lives virtually its entire life underground. The frog does, however, show a strong preference for regions of very loose, damp, and sandy soils.
Living under the ground as it does, this astounding creation of Nature evolved a highly specialized diet. Various species of termite actually comprise the majority of the fare on its menu. Yet, the amphibian also consumes smaller quantities of small ants and other tiny soil-dwelling invertebrates.
In fact, to the knowledge of researchers, the 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 scant facts, however, scientists still know very little of the biology of this captivating species. Among the lamentably few details 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.
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