The combination of the Vietnamese mossy frog's green body, black spots, tubercles and spines makes it look like a clump of moss, which it spends a large portion of its time pretending to be. Native to Vietnam, these frogs live in mossy caves and in the banks of rocky mountain streams.

Physical Description

Vietnamese mossy frogs greatly resemble a clump of moss thanks to their green color, black spots, and visible tubercules and spines. They hide in basins of water found in crevices with only their eyes protruding to keep a watchful eye on their surroundings. As a result, they're almost impossible to spot when sitting still. These tree frogs have adhesive toe pads and can jump. Males have a pronounced breeding callus on the base of their inside finger.

Size

The Vietnamese mossy frog grows up to 3.5 inches (7 to 8 centimeters), with males tending to be smaller and thinner than females.

Native Habitat

As its name suggests, the Vietnamese mossy frog lives in Vietnam; specifically in northern Vietnam, a region defined by limestone cliffs and evergreen rainforests.

Vietnamese mossy frogs are found in flooded caves and in the banks of rocky mountain streams at elevations of 2,300 to 3,280 feet (700 to 1,000 meters). This semi-aquatic species spends much of the time hiding in the water under rocks and floating plants. They will also attach themselves to rock crevices, appearing to be moss.

Lifespan

Unknown, probably ten years.

Communication

Vietnamese mossy frogs can throw their voices up to 10 to 13 feet (3 to 4 meters), making it extremely difficult to find them in the wild.

Food/Eating Habits

Mossy frogs hunt large insects such as crickets and cockroaches. At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, they eat a diet of crickets, cockroaches and earthworms.

Sleep Habits

Vietnamese mossy frogs are active at night.

Reproduction and Development

Vietnamese mossy frogs breed in rock cavities where water has flooded the floor. A clutch of eight to ten eggs is deposited above the water to protect them from aquatic predators. The eggs hatch in seven to 14 days and the newly hatched tadpoles drop into the water directly below them. Metamorphosis from tadpole to frog takes about three months. This species has been bred in human care.

Conservation Efforts

The Vietnamese government protects Vietnamese mossy frogs, but their habitat is threatened by development and clear-cutting and they are in demand in the international pet trade.

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