SUMMARY

• PREVALENCE: Uncommon

• ACTIVE PERIOD: Active at night

• KEY ID FEATURES: Highly ornate body pattern, bright yellow coloration at joint between hind limb and body

• SIZE: ~3.5cm

• IUCN: LC - Least Concern

GALLERY

IMPORTANT: Many frogs have significant variance in coloration and pattern even within the same species. There can also be extreme differences in appearance from juveniles to adults and some species appear very similar in maturity.

DESCRIPTION

Their body is triangular in shape with a wide, plump body and short, pointed nose. They have light and dark brown stripes looping around the head and running along the side of the body. The middle of the dorsum through the posterior is a dark brown triangle shaped marking with light brown swirls and circles. The forelimbs are light brown with faded dark brown swirls. Hindlimbs are covered in high contrast dark and light brown swirls. The combination of these stripes and swirls give way to the “marbled” moniker used in this species common name. In addition to these relatively unique markings, the marbled pigmy frog has highly distinct bright yellow coloration on the flanks and inner thigh region, at the joint of the forelimbs and body, and on top of the feet on the hindlimbs. This yellow coloration is normally only visible when the frog is jumping or otherwise stretched out. Marbled pigmy frogs are often generally dark brown but can also be light brown in color.

The venter is light yellow on the chest and belly. The chin is dark brown, and the hindlimbs are slightly opaque with yellow coloration and yellow granules around the cloaca.

There are four digits on the forelimbs with no webbing present. Hindlimbs have five digits and small toe pads. Digits on the hind limbs have reduced webbing.

HABITAT

They prefer small streams, ponds and marshy or wetland habitat.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

CAUTION SHOULD TAKEN WHEN INTERACTING WITH AMPHIBIANS: The marbled pigmy frog can look similar to the ornate pigmy frog, which is also a small, triangular narrow mouthed species. Both species have light and dark brown stripes looping around the head and sides, but the marbled pigmy frogs patters have much higher contrast. The marbled pigmy frog also has dark and light brown swirls on the back and posterior whereas the ornate pigmy frog has one large irregular marking on the back which can often be faded in mature or lighter color specimens. The most clear differentiator between the species is the bright yellow flank and inner thigh of the marbled pigmy frog which is completely absent on the ornate pigmy frog.