Amphibian

Desert Rain Frog

Breviceps macrops

Also known as Web-footed Rain Frog, Boulenger's Short-headed Frog

Desert rain frogs are plump, round amphibians famous for their surprisingly fierce, high-pitched squeak when alarmed. They spend hot arid days buried deep in moist, sub-surface sand dunes along coastal Namibia and South Africa, emerging on foggy nights to forage. Unlike most amphibians, they skip the free-swimming tadpole stage entirely, with eggs developing directly into fully formed froglets inside underground nests.

NocturnalBurrowingAmphibian

—observations

—countries

—peak records

VulnerableConservation status

Key facts

Diet & preyTermites, Ants, Small beetles

Predators

Black-backed jackals
Snakes
Birds of prey

ThreatsCoastal diamond mining, tourism development, and habitat fragmentation

HabitatsCoastal sand dunes and arid sandy shores

Life span4–10 years

Classification

OrderAnura
FamilyBrevicipitidae
GenusBreviceps
SpeciesBreviceps macrops

Range & activity

Range data is not available yet.

Safe observation

Interaction riskLow

Low
Moderate
High
Very high

Why interaction risk is low: Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice: Recognize by its globose, yellowish-brown body, webbed feet, and high-pitched defensive squeak.
Support conservation: Observe strictly from a distance without disturbing dune vegetation or digging up burrow sites.

Responsible observation

Night Spotting: Look for small tracks on wet sand dunes during foggy, humid nights.
Listen Closely: Listen for distinct, squeaky defense calls echoing across coastal dunes.
Tread Lightly: Stick to established paths to prevent collapsing fragile underground burrows.

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