The small gliding frog, also known as Rhacophorus lateralis, is a species of tree frog belonging to the family Rhacophoridae. As the name suggests, this frog is known for its gliding abilities, which allow it to move effortlessly through the trees in search of food and shelter.
| Characteristics | Description |
| Name | Small gliding frog |
| Scientific Name | Rhacophorus lateralis |
| Colour | Green with yellow stripes on the sides |
| Habitat | Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, plantations, and gardens near streams or ponds |
| Indian states where it’s found | Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Mizoram |
| IUCN status | Vulnerable |
Features
The small gliding frog is a small, brightly colored frog with a distinctive green and yellow pattern on its body. Its skin is smooth and moist, allowing it to breathe through its skin. The most notable feature of this frog is the presence of large, webbed feet which enable it to glide through the air. It can glide for up to 12 meters in a single leap, making it one of the most agile gliding frogs in the world.
Habitat and Food
The small gliding frog is found in the moist evergreen forests of the Western Ghats in India. These frogs spend most of their time in the trees, using their gliding abilities to move from branch to branch in search of food. Their diet mainly consists of insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates that can be found in the forest canopy.
Where is it found in India
The small gliding frog is found in the Western Ghats of India, particularly in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. They are usually found in the canopy of trees in moist evergreen forests.
Importance to Ecosystem
As with many other amphibians, the small gliding frog plays an important role in the ecosystem. They are known to be an indicator species, meaning that their presence or absence can provide valuable information about the health of the ecosystem. They also play a role in controlling the population of insects and other small invertebrates, which helps to maintain the delicate balance of the forest ecosystem.
IUCN status
The small gliding frog is classified as a species of Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Like many other amphibian species, it is threatened by habitat loss and degradation, as well as pollution and other human activities. Conservation efforts are needed to protect the small gliding frog and its habitat, in order to ensure its survival for future generations.
