Rhacophorus maculatus

Rhacophorus maculatus, commonly known as the spotted gliding frog or the green flying frog, is a fascinating amphibian species belonging to the family Rhacophoridae. These strikingly colored frogs are known for their remarkable ability to glide through the air using their webbed feet and large webbed digits. Found in various parts of Southeast Asia,

DESCRIPTION

• The females are larger than males. The ear drum is almost big as eye.

• The nostrils are closer to the tip of the snout than to eyes. Toes are about 1/2 webbed and there are traces of webbing on the fingers. Fingers and toes have large discs. The first and second fingers are almost equal in length.  

• The body have a series of small spots and stripes on the back. Cross barred legs and rear sides of the thighs are yellow with dark brown spots.

• Dorsum and upper flank are golden-brown to coffee-brown with scattered black spots, occasionally featuring blackish, unpatterned blotches. Two broken but distinct dorso-lateral lines extend from the interorbital position to the groin. 

• The tympanum is flesh-pink to translucent dark tan. Limbs and digits display oblique crossbars. 

• The dorsal surface is mostly smooth with strong granulation around the vent, and there is a sharp dorso-lateral supra-tympanic fold extending from the posterior eye to the armpit. 

• A dark brown streak extends just beneath the supra-tympanic fold from the posterior tympanum to the mid-flank, occasionally reaching up to the groin.

REPRODUCTION

• This species lays eggs in foam nest constructed under leaf litter or ground vegetation.

• This species starts breeding with rains in May and continuing well through October. 

• The males gather at breeding site and continue to call few days. 

• The breeding sites near the waterbodies. The females are attracted to the males. The males hold the females under their armpits. The mounted pairs build foam nests that overhanging the water.

•  The nests are attached to the plants or underneath of stones; close to the water. Tadpoles are emerging from the eggs are about 3-4.5mm long.  Adult size 3.5 to 8.5cm in length.

HABITAT

• These frogs are typically discovered in damp ground areas covered by undergrowth or leaf litter within open forest clearings that lack a crown canopy but are surrounded by trees. 

• They are also commonly found in paddy fields. Male frogs emitting mating calls are consistently located beneath leaf litter or within undergrowth."