How Do Common Rain Frogs Protect Themselves?

Rain frogs protect themselves by burrowing into the sandy soils of southern Africa. This medium-sized, round frog has short, strong legs that help it dig backwards into ground where it stays moist and cool while avoiding predators. The burrows can range from 50 to 60 centimeters in length and constructed with two entrances. So, not only can rain frogs hide underground, but they can escape out their back doors when danger digs at the front door.

The skin color of the common rain frog helps it blend in with its environment. The frog sports shades of light and dark brown with variable back patterns. They often have spots and patches, which may contain bits of yellow or orange, and a broad black stripe extends from the eye to the armpit. Their undersides are white, and sometimes mottled. This color combination, along with sticky dirt from their burrows, helps these frogs stay disguised while living as a ground dwellers.

The rain frogs have granular glands on their skin that release skin secretions as a protective mechanism against predators. Like other frogs, the skin secretions may be noxious and unpleasant tasting to the predator, although the common rain frog's skin secretions have not yet been studied. Also, the skin secretions lead to increased mucus production. Increased mucus production means the frog is more slippery when a predator is trying to catch it, thus allowing it a better chance of escape.

Another defense mechanism that the common rain frog uses is its ability to appear larger than its normal size. When threatened, this frog will puff itself up to appear larger as a deterrent to predators. Also, the larger size may make it more difficult for a predator to consume a frog, depending on the size of the predator. For example, a small snake trying to eat a common rain frog may have difficulty as the frog enlarges itself, while a black-backed jackal would not be discouraged.

Hibernation protects the common rain frogs from weather and low food supply. During the dry season, these frogs form mucous cocoons around their bodies to prevent water loss while deep in their burrows. They emerge from hibernation from late September to October, which coincides with their main source of food, swarming termites. Coming out of hibernation also coincides with the rainy season, an important time for these frogs to breed.