Guinea shovel nosed frog

Introduction: Guinea Shovel-Nosed frog (Hemisus guineensis) were first recorded in the country of Guinea on the west coast of Africa. They inhabit temporary pans formed in the rainy season, usually in open bush or grassland in mopane, savannah bushveld. Their call, a long trill, lasts for several seconds with the male calling for the entrance to their burrows, normally close to water.

Distribution: Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip) including Chobe and Zambezi River systems, Kwando River and Bwabwata National Park.

Diet: Insects, earthworms and spiders.

Colouration: Dark grey or black upperparts are decorated with yellow or orange dots. There is a pale vertebral line, itself sometimes adorned with small white spots. The underside is greyish white.

Breeding: Tadpoles have 6 labial teeth rows in the upper jaw and 3 in the lower. The back half of the tail is usually dark.

Maximum size: 55mm.