African Reed Frogs

They are (generally) found in the countries of Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Within these countries, areas with emerging vegetation and human habitation are more likely to see them around. Aswell as generally wet areas such as lakes, rivers, and swamps.¹⁾

The Common Reed Frog is likely the most diverse candidate on list. With wide ranges on its height, ranging from as little as 15mm to as big as 30mm, and slight regional variations in regards to the coloration it may or may not alter it can be a little difficult to definitively identify initially. However, using physical features such as the brief snout it possesses and the extensive webbing, compared to fellow Reed Frogs. They also wield horizontal pupils with the ability to completely submerge itself in water while still being able to mostly see and breath. Another key method of tracking would be audio cues. It has been said that the Common Reed Frog have voices akin to smally xylophones, granting trackers a general direction to follow while disregarding other ambiances. ²⁾

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They are found within the countries of Gabon, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Congo, Zimbabwe, Swaziland. Within these countries, key things to look would be quite similar to that of the Common Reed Frog. However, it should be noted that the Marbled Reed Frog can also be found within the winter rainfall area of the Western Cape. ⁵⁾

The key identifier of the Marbled Reed Frog is, of course, its marble like complexion. It is more moderate in it’s family with a maximum body length of 33mm. However, it should be noted that it is not only pure white, though at a distance that would be a great asset. It also contains both red feet and spots ranging a small variety of colors. But that is not all, as they may potentially display different patterns and coloration dependent on whether it is day or night. Daylight brings pale and drab colors while night brings forth shades of red, yellow, and black. ⁶⁾

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Pickersgill's Reed Frog is found exclusively in the KawZulu-Natal Province located within South Africa. They are found in a concentrated location roughly 9kms wide, however their small occupancy size is due to their critical endangerment according to the IUCN. This danger being insecticides and drainage intended for mosquitos and agriculture respectively having the unintended side effect of harming this specific species of frog. ⁸⁾

A comparatively smaller amphibian compared to most of it’s counterparts, with males being up to 22mm and females up to 29mm, the ever endangered Pickersgill’s reed frog is still a remarkable frog with traits to search for. Males are adorned with darker edges and a lateral band running from the hind legs all the way to its snout. Females are lighter in complexion, with light green skin and the lack of the lateral band that the males distinguish themselves with. Regardless of gender, both can be noted for their smooth undersides. However tracking them in water could prove to be laborious, as their snout extends just beyond the nostrils at a slight point they do not need to protrude their eyes when submerged. ⁹⁾

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They are located within the countries of Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, and Tanzania. Searching near large bodies of water would be the most likely to result in finding these frogs, as they are comparatively more inclined to coasts than other frogs of the Hyperolius genus with presence still in savanna' but still more inclinations towards the coastline. ¹²⁾

If the search requires specifically a male or female, the difference in coloration must come into account. Adult males are usually green, and females usually reddish-brown with large white spots. The coloration and pattern differ based on geographic variation. But there is still a unique phenomena, in which both females and males metamorphose to a solid green color without spots, which is the color of adult males. Under experimental conditions, the time from metamorphosis to the change to a female color pattern took about two months; for a male, the time from metamorphosis to the development of vocal sacs, with spontaneous vocalization and aggression, was about three months. ¹³⁾

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This frog is found exclusively within South Africa. Also known as the Arum frog due to it's propensity for hiding under arum lilies which are found within intermittent freshwater lakes, marshes, and ponds. ¹⁵⁾

A notably large amphibian within the Hyperolius genus, adults can grow to 40 mm in length. They have bright orange feet and can change their color to camouflage themselves. The top of the body is cream to brown, sometimes with small black spots. A distinctive, pale, dorsolateral line runs from the snout along the flanks, with a dark-brown lateral band underneath. A fine, dark line usually separates the pale line from the brown band. The concealed surfaces of limbs, webbing, and discs are orange to red. Underneath, the frog is creamy white and slightly granular. ¹⁶⁾

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They are currently located solely within the limits of Tanzania. Despite their small stature, these little leapers tend to lounge around mountains upwards of 5,000 feat above sea level. This isn't to say this is where they exclusively reside, as they have been spotted near lowland pastures and plantations. If looking for youth, look near shallow and temporary swamps. ¹⁸⁾

As the name implies, these are very small frogs. With males measuring from 12-17mm and females 18-24. Both males and females have generally brown bodies with light canthal and dorsolateral lines. There is an exception with some females, with irregular stripes and spots. ¹⁹⁾

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They are located within the bounds in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, and western Gabon. They are generally found in locations you'd find numerous other Reed Frogs. That being forests, savannas, shrublands, rivers, swamps and freshwater lakes with occasional dwellings in/near human habitation. ²²⁾

The Dotted Reed Frog is a relatively (and suprisingly) large member of they Hyperolius Genus, with males measuring between 27-35 mm and females 29–37 mm. Their bodies are broad and flat and there is a dark stripe. A key distinguisher is that there are two color phases:

All juveniles and many mature males display phase “J”. In this phase, the body is a dull bluish to yellowish green; ventral surfaces are greenish yellow. There is a light stripe above the dark canthal stripe. There might also be some diffuse, dark spots, and the dorsolateral line might be bordered with black. All females, and some males, develop into phase “F” prior to the first breeding season. The body is a dark brown to reddish and has round or oblong orange spots; the ventrum is greyish white. There is variation within this phase; sometimes the light spots are large, sometimes they are very small and numerous. In some Cameroonian specimens the dorsum is uniform brown to reddish and there are black dots on the sides and ventrum. ²³⁾

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They are located in Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Nigeria. They primarily live in the tropical forest belts that can dot between these countries and are fairly abundant. ²⁶⁾

Medium sized for the Reed Frogs, Males vary from 21–26 mm and females 30–33 mm. Their color can range from yellow to brown, flanks darker chocolate-brown, well-delimited from the dorsal colour. Sometimes spots of the same colour on their bodies. ²⁷⁾

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