Frogging at Aylestone Portion 8

My grandmother used to tell us that we will get warts if a frog urinates on our hands. That didn’t deter us from catching frogs, and we didn’t get warts at all.  Something that I remember as a child was hundreds of baby frogs hopping around after good rain.  If only I could experience that once again… Not only for the experience itself but to identify the species.

My childhood experience of frogs is basically restricted to Red Toads and Platanas.

The only time ever that I have seen a Giant bullfrog, was in an irrigation canal on my way home from the bus stop.  The cement canals have fall structures to help the water flow.   A canal fall or drop is an irrigation structure constructed across a canal to lower down its bed level to maintain the designed slope when there is a change of ground level to maintain the designed slope when there is change of ground level.

The bullfrog was caught in the whirlpool at the bottom of the fall structure and couldn’t escape. I can still recall the flashing images of yellow and green when the frog appeared and disappeared under the water. Me and the neighbours son ran home to fetch something to scoop the frog out. We thought it was dead, but it was alive. My mum was not impressed by the damage in the butterfly net she made for us, but understood our good intentions.  The frog buried into the soil and remained in her rose garden for more than a week  before it disappeared.

My mum was the one who lit the flame of curiosity in all her children… When we bought a portion of the farm Aylestone in Barberton, my curiosity exploded with the abundance of life. I love frogs and have accumulated hundreds of photos over the years.

Below is an account of all the frog species I have found so far on Aylestone 8. Only one or two photos are used here that is representative of the species.

Frogs are very variable  Please click on the family name to see more photos, information and links to my videos of their behavior.

FAMILY BUFONIDAE

Schismaderma carens, Red Toad (Rooiskurwepadda)

Sclerophrys gutturalis, Guttural Toad  (Gorrelskurwepadda)

FAMILY HYPEROLIIDAE

Hyperolius marmoratus taeniatus, Painted Reed Frog (Skilderbontrietpadda)

Hyperolius pusillus, Water Lily Frog (Waterleliepadda)

Hyperolius tuberilinguis, Tinker Reed Frog (Groenrietpadda)

Kassina senegalensis, Bubbling Kassina (Borrelvleipadda)

FAMILY MICROHYLIDAE

Phrynomantis affinis, Banded Rubber Frog (Gebande rubberpadda)

FAMILY PHRYNOBATRACHIDAE

Phrynobatrachus natalensis, Snoring Puddle Frog (Snorkmodderpadda)

FAMILY PTYCHADENIDAE

Ptychadena anchietae, Plain Grass Frog (Rooiruggraspadda)

FAMILY PIPIDAE

Xenopus laevis, Common platanna (Gewone platanna)

Xenopus muelleri, Muller’s Platanna (Geelpensplatanna)

FAMILY PYXICEPHALIDAE

Amieta delalandii, Common River Frog (Gewone rivierpadda)

Tomopterna natalensis, Natal Sand Frog (Natalse sandpadda)

FAMILY RHACOPHORIDAE

Chiromantis xerampelina, Southern Foam Nest Frog (Grootgrysskuimnespadda)

I have spent many evenings outside with my torch and cell phone to capture the information above.  Unfortunately, it is not safe anymore to go frogging on my own. Our neighbor farms with crocodiles, and they escape to our dam. There are daytime photos, but those are in the minority. Scientific information comes from the sources mentioned below. The book by Louis du Preez and Vincent Carruthers is a MUST if you are interested in frogs.

For more information:

1. Frogs Of Southern Africa, A Complete Guide, Louis du Preez & Vincent Carruthers. Struik Nature 2017

FAMILY PTYCHADENIDAE – Grass frogs

Ptychadena anchietae (Rooiruggraspadda)

Very prominent tympanum. The snout is paler than the rest of the body, forming a pale triangle

I have found the same individual at the same place night after night

Their hearing or detection of vibrations must be very well developed. They will stop calling when I approach them when I’m about 50-75 meters away.

These grass frogs can jump several meters at the slightest disturbance

Black markings on the back of the thighs tend to fuse to form bands on a yellowish background

Males have two vocal sacs, tucked into lateral pouches oblique to the jaw-line, clearly visible in this individual

Amplexus *

The mating call of Ptychadena anchietae can go on and on through the night. The males have two vocal sacs that are tucked into pouches oblique to the jaw-line.

I have been lucky a few times to capture the calls. This is a view from the top, with both vocal sacs visible.

TERMINOLOGY:

Amplexus is a term used to define mating in frogs. It is a reproductive position used by frogs to replicate externally. The male frog will clasp the female from the back, stimulating the release of eggs. After the egg has been released, the male frog fertilizes each egg with the sperm cells.

Tympanum: The tympanic membrane is a thin membrane that separates the frog’s outer and inner ear. It is located behind the eyes. It allows it to hear both in the air and below the water.

Please contact me should you find a species that I have misidentified.

For more information:

1. Frogs Of Southern Africa, A Complete Guide, Louis du Preez & Vincent Carruthers. Struik Nature 2017