Ryan Photographic - Rhacophoridae - Moss frogs

Rhacophoridae

Frogs belonging to the family Rhacophoridae are widely distributed in Tropical Africa and Asia. As a family they are referred to as moss or bush frogs. Typically aboreal, many of them are adapted for low grade gliding. They accomplish this by spreading the webbing between their toes which acts like a parachute to slow their fall. Those that achieve a glide angle of less than 45 degrees are considered to be "flying frogs" whereas those with a glide angle of more than 45 degrees are considered "gliding frogs". Bricks have a glide angle of 90 degrees ...

Some Rhacophorids produce foam nests on branches overhanging ponds. The eggs are fertilized before the foam hardens. Young tadpoles drop into the water below.

Alfred Russel Wallace, co-conspirator in the evil theory of evolution, was one of the first Westerners to see a "flying frog". This species, Rhacophorus nigropalmatus, is pictured below.

Theloderma corticale, the Vietnamese moss frog (also pictured below), is increasingly being found in zoo displays in the United States. It is listed as "data deficient" by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. According to this list the Vietnamese moss frog is found on steep, rocky cliffs in primary evergreen rainforest. Because it is so cryptic it is possible that this species may be locally common.

According to AmphibiaWeb there are currently 359 Rhacophorid species in 16 genera, but this will probably change as more species are discovered.

Polypedates otilophus Borneo eared frog

Rhacophorus nigropalmatus Wallace's Flying Frog

Theloderma corticale Vietnamese Moss Frog

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