Resplendent Shrub Frog

About Resplendent Shrub Frog 

• It belongs to the family Rhacophoridae.
• Appearance: It is remarkably small, measuring only about 2–3 cm in length. Its body is adorned with bold patterns along its limbs and flanks. The limbs are much shorter than in other species of this genus.
• Habitat: Normally, cold-climate-adapted frogs move to higher elevations as temperatures rise.
• Distribution: It is endemic to the high-altitude shola-grassland ecosystems of the Anamudi region in Kerala’s Eravikulam National Park.
• Characteristics
  • It is characterized by pronounced crawling behaviour. It is a ground-dwelling species.
  • They are nocturnal and hide from artificial light sources.
  • Reproduction: It undergoes direct development, without a free swimming tadpole stage.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered

Key Facts about Eravikulam National Park

• Location: It is an important protected area located in the Western Ghats of Kerala.
• It is also surrounded by other protected areas like Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Pampadum Shola National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park, and Kurinjimala Sanctuary.
• It is most famous for being the largest habitat of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.
• It is also known as the “Land of Neelakurinji”, a rare flower that blooms once every 12 years.
• It is dominated by high-altitude grasslands and rolling plateaus, usually found above 2000 meters.
• Anamudi Peak (2695 m), which is the highest peak in South India, often called the “Everest of South India” is present here.
• It consists of three types of vegetation: Grasslands, Shrublands and Shola forests.
• Flora: The Park supports a wide range of plant diversity, including grasses, shrubs, and trees adapted to high-altitude conditions.
• Fauna: Elephants, Gaur, Sambar Deer, Leopard, Tiger, Sloth Bear, and Wild Dog.

Source: TH

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