Amphibian · GBIF taxon 2423433
Philippine Flat-headed Frog
Barbourula busuangensisAlso known as Palawan Flat-headed Frog, Busuanga Jungle Toad, Busuanga Disk-tongued Toad, Philippine Aquatic Frog
Fully aquatic dwellers of pristine hill streams, Philippine flat-headed frogs spend virtually their entire lives submerged beneath rocks in clean, fast-flowing rapids. Their heavily flattened bodies and completely webbed hind feet allow them to navigate torrents without being swept downstream. Populations remain vulnerable to forest clearing, mining, and stream siltation across their restricted island range.
AquaticAmphibianEndemic
Licensed referencePierre Fidenci / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Freshwater shrimp
- Mayfly larvae
- Aquatic beetles
Predators
- Water snakes
- River birds
- Large fish
ThreatsHabitat destruction, stream siltation, mining pollution, deforestation
HabitatsFast-flowing rocky streams, pristine lowland rainforest rivers
Life span5–10 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyBombinatoridae
- SpeciesBarbourula busuangensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognized by its dark olive-brown color, extremely flattened profile, webbed feet, and fully aquatic stream habit.
- Support conservation
- Never handle wild individuals or disrupt stream beds, as skin secretions and microhabitats are easily damaged.
Responsible observation
- Observe quietly: Scan clear, shallow riffles and underside edges of submerged rocks without disturbing water flow.
- Avoid stream pollution: Keep chemicals, soaps, and trash far away from clean mountain watercourses.
Close Relative 
Family Relative Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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