Banded rubber frog

Introduction: Features of Banded Rubber frogs (Phrynomantis bifasciatus) include elongated and flattened bodies, pear-shaped, tapering into a narrow head which sports small eyes. The long, high-pitched melodious trill of the male lasts for around 3secs and can be heard in savannah woodland, grassland and a variety of bushveld vegetation.

Distribution: Northern and central regions of Namibia, including Etosha National Park, Tsumkwe, Kaudom Game Park, the Kavango region and the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip).

Diet: Earthworms, spiders and other insects.

Colouration: The upperparts are a dark or black shiny gold colour. There are 2 paravertebral reddish bands running from the snout over the eyes along the flanks. Another reddish band runs low down on the back. Lower down on the body are series of irregular deep crimson bands and spots. Bifasciatus refers to the 2 paravertebral red bands on the back.

Breeding: Tadpoles reach 38mm. They have flattened, wide heads and a deep fin.

Maximum size: 40mm.