5 Amazing Asian Amphibians

We truly hope that you will enjoy and appreciate this article about these 5 Amazing Asian Amphibians. We certainly ejoyed creating it for you. It’s also our hope that you will come away from the epxerince with a renewed recognition of the awesomeness of Nature.

Obviously, these constitute only a tiny fraction of the amphibian species found in this part of the world. We nevertheless feel that they form a good representative group. So, sit back, enjoy the article, and open your minds to some of the many wonders of evolution.

Chinese Giant Salamander

Chinese Giant Salamander Facts

• Leading off this article about 5 Amazing Asian Amphibians comes one that really grabs your attention, the aptly-named Chinese Giant Salamander.
• This astonishing work of natural evolution bears the informative, as well as accurate, common name for a very good reason. It also bears another, more difficult to pronounce name. That’s because it holds the scientific name of the Andrias davidianus.
• It owes this term to the highly respected French zoologist and entomologist Charles Émile Blanchard. This researcher made the first known formal recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. This scientifically notable event occurred in 1871.
• For the moment, however, it also serves as the focus of ongoing and scientific debate. That’s due to recent DNA research. A 2018 study revealed that several subspecies of the remarkable creature may in fact exist. This would complicate its classification.
• It holds several distinctions in the annals of science, in fact. The first’s a positive one, of sorts. That’s because it’s presently the largest of all known amphibians. The second, however, isn’t as fortunate. It also remains among the most threatened.
• Therefore, the IUCN lists it on the organizations’ Red List of Threatened Species. On that list, it holds the regrettable status of Critically Endangered. It currently faces several threats to its existence, including habitat loss and human consumption.
• Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, it also faces one more danger. The Chinese Giant Salamander now finds itself facing yet another factor augmenting these perils. That, of course, is the ever increasing concern of the ongoing effects of climate change.

Chinese Giant Salamander Physical Description

The most readily noticeable aspect of the aptly-named Chinese Giant Salamander has to be its sheer size. It easily earns its spot as the largest of all known amphibians. Unlike some of its kin, though, this generally species displays no noticeable degree of sexual dimorphism.

The lone known exception to this somewhat uncommon fact occurs during mating season. That’s because, at that time, certain glands of the males swell temporarily. With that sole exception, the two genders remain virtually indistinguishable to the naked eye.

Specimens of both sexes, more precisely, frequently grow to relatively enormous sizes, as the name implies. A mature individual attains an average length of roughly 3.8 ft (1.16 m). These same specimens average a body weight of about 55 – 66 lb (24.9 – 29.9 kg).

Exceptional specimens do often occur, however. In point of fact, some attain lengths of as much as 5.9 ft (1.8 m). The weight of these same creatures sometimes equals a much as 130 lb (59 kg). The Chinese Giant Salamander clearly earns its common name.

Its also has a startling, wrinkly appearance. In color, it usually presents a dark brown, with a speckled or mottled pattern present. Some, though, can be dark brown, reddish, or even black. The creature further has a large head, wide mouth, and small, lidless eyes.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Amphibia
• Order: Urodela
• Family: Cryptobranchidae
• Genus: Andrias
• Species: A. davidianus

Chinese Giant Salamander Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The very name of the awesome Chinese Giant Salamander obviously provides a clue to its native range. The magnificent creature lives only in the portion of Asia that now forms the country of China. Even there, though, its locality remains somewhat limited.

Previously, the wonder of Nature seemed to be widespread throughout southern, southwest, and central China. Now, however, that range appears to be highly broken. The known populations appear from Qinghai to Jiangsu, to Guangxi, Guangdong, and Sichuan.

The greatest known concentrations further appear within three large river basin regions in the area. These consist of the Pearl River, the Yellow River, and the Yangtze. Yet another small population of these giant amphibians potentially exists in the Tibetan Plateau.

It also seems to have a preference for certain altitudes, where its choice of habitat is concerned. That’s due to the fact that most specimens appear at altitudes between 300 – 4,900 ft (100 – 1,500 m). One exception, though, is a grouping living at 13,800 ft (4,200 m).

This remarkable animal evolved as entirely aquatic in nature. Individuals mainly live in lakes with clear water, and rocky streams in the hills. In these locations, most make their home along the banks, typically in regions where dark, rocky crevices line those banks.

The Chinese Giant Salamander, like most of its kind, evolved as a carnivore. Its known prey consists of various local species. These include millipedes, insects, freshwater crabs, fish, and even small shrews. This natural wonder itself has no known natural predators.

Vietnamese Mossy Frog

Vietnamese Mossy Frog Facts

• Next up among our choices for inclusion in this compilation of 5 Amazing Asian Amphibians is the visually impressive Vietnamese Mossy Frog.
• The simultaneously descriptive and accurate term for this highly unique animal perfectly serves as one of the common names for a remarkable amphibian. It also goes by alternate names, though, including the mossy frog, and Tonkin bug-eyed frog.
• Its official scientific name, however, remains that of the tongue-twisting Theloderma corticale. But by either of these various names, this amazing animal represents yet another masterpiece of evolution in the minds of many people.
• Quite fortunately, this marvel of Nature appears to be maintaining a sufficient and stable population base. This further seems to hold true throughout the entirety of its natural range. Yet, while its numbers appear stable, it nonetheless has a limited range.
• But, despite the limitations this imposes, the IUCN currently list the Vietnamese Mossy Frog as Least Concern. This status appears on the organization’s Red List of Threatened Species. Its situation remains subject to change, however.
• That’s due to the fact that it now faces several threats to its existence. Loss of habitat, due to deforestation, obviously poses a serious danger, along with the international pet trade, regrettably. Its greatest threat, though, likely consists of climate change.

Vietnamese Mossy Frog Physical Description

The incredible Vietnamese Mossy Frog attains its relative fame due to characteristics other than its sheer size. Its most notable feature, as the name itself suggests, is the presence of a dense collection of protuberances and tubercules over most of its body.

The combined effect serves as the source of its most frequently used common name. Its coloring also plays a role in that naming, however. The skin of the creature generally shows a background of green, with various colored spots and markings added to the mix.

Such an astonishing combination of natural factors makes the animal strongly resemble a clump of moss. Given its natural habitat, this provides it with a highly effective degree of natural camouflage. In fact, it’s almost impossible to spot individuals in the wild.

But speaking purely in terms of size, the Vietnamese Mossy Frog remains an average-size amphibian. It further displays a slight degree of sexual dimorphism. Overall, it averages 3.5 in (8.9 cm) in length, with females being slightly larger than the males.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Amphibia
• Order: Anura
• Family: Rhacophoridae
• Genus: Theloderma
• Species: T. corticale

Vietnamese Mossy Frog Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Quite sadly for those who appreciate the wonders of Nature, the Vietnamese Mossy Frog only inhabits a small area of the world. More precisely, as the name implies, it mainly exists in the northern portions of the country of Vietnam, in Asia.

Reports of small populations in other regions also exist, though. These other regions include the province of Hainan, in China, and possibly Laos. Wherever the animal makes an appearance, though, it displays decided preferences for its choice of habitat.

Being semi-aquatic in nature, it requires a nearby source of water. But that’s only the beginning. Very specifically, the amphibian has only been seen on the banks of mountain streams, at elevations of approximately 3,000 ft (9.842 ft), or in flooded caves.

This truly fascinating animal evolved, like many of its brethren, as nocturnal in nature. It’s also fully insectivorous in its dietary habits. The frog primarily consumes larger insects, such as crickets, cockroaches, and moths, but will feed opportunistically.

The breeding patterns of the Vietnamese Mossy Frog also seems to be quite specific. This mainly takes place in partially flooded rock cavities. The female typically lays a clutch of 8 – 10 eggs, placed above the water. These generally hatch over a period of 7 – 14 days.

After hatching, the newborn instinctively quickly drop into the water below them. The ensuing metamorphosis from tadpole into frog typically requires around 3 months. The exact lifespan in the wild remains unknown, but estimates place it at 10 years.

Indian Bullfrog

Indian Bullfrog Facts

• Placing in the third positon in this posting of our choices of 5 Amazing Asian Amphibians, the fabulous Indian Bullfrog does so only due to random selection.
• Look at the brilliantly contrasting colors of the amphibian understandably known by the informative name. It doesn’t look like it could be real, does it? This gorgeous fellow does, however, represent a relatively large and colorful species of a bullfrog.
• Most unfortunately, this highly unique animal also remains endemic to a limited portion of the world. It now seems to have become introduced into Madagascar, however, though whether it happened intentionally or not is currently undetermined.
• There, many people consider it to be an invasive species, largely due to its voracious appetite. In some areas in which it appears, though, including the country of Thailand, the marvel of Nature is actually a commercially farmed species.
• For the moment, the fascinating Indian Bullfrog holds the classification of a species of Least Concern with the IUCN. That status appears on its Red List. This fortunate status exists largely due to the widespread habitat range, and large population, of the animal.
• Regrettably, however, this status seems likely to change, given, to no great surprise, the rapid degree of habitat loss due to human expansion in its native range. It also now faces the pressing danger of the ongoing effects of climate change.

Indian Bullfrog Physical Description

Quite impressively, the aptly-named Indian Bullfrog fully merits appreciation for more than just its distinctive appearance. That statement holds true due to the fact that it also represents one of the larger of the known varieties of frog known to man.

It does, however, display a degree of sexual dimorphism. In its case, though, this trait manifests itself in two separate ways. The first of these is in simple size, with males averaging slightly smaller than females. An overall body length equals roughly 6.5 in (16.5 cm).

Colors can vary somewhat significantly between individuals, but olive green and dark yellow predominate. Many specimens further display darker patches. It’s in the coloring, though, that it shows its other manner of gender-based differences.

The male Indian Bullfrog consciously changes its colors to primarily bright yellow during mating season, to attract females. The large bright blue sacs under its jaw also serve to also attract females. Both sexes, however, possess nearly fully webbed toes.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Amphibia
• Order: Anura
• Family: Dicroglossidae
• Genus: Hoplobatrachus
• Species: H. tigeriuns

Indian Bullfrog Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The Indian Bullfrog inhabits a comparatively broad swathe of the globe, despite the suggestiveness of its common name. While its range does include the country of India, the creature actually exists in many regions throughout the continent of Asia.

The great majority of its population dwells in the countries of Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and, of course, India. Smaller known populations of this mighty amphibian further appear in the Maldives and Madagascar.

But in whatever region of the world it inhabits, this work of evolution displays strong preference for its choice of habitat. As an amphibian, these naturally include moist areas, frequently consisting of freshwater wetlands, including man-made paddy fields.

More specifically, most specimens inhabit bushes and holes located very close to the water. From there, it seeks its prey, being carnivorous in nature, like other frogs. Given its size, it primarily preys on small mammals, invertebrates, and even small birds. 

The Indian Bullfrog also evolved as primarily nocturnal in terms of its behavioral patterns. Its breeding season, meanwhile, takes place during the monsoon season. Following mating, the female lays many eggs, but sadly, tadpole mortality rates are high.

Limnonectese larvaepartus

Limnonectese larvaepartus Facts

• Here we come to a particularly physically impressive member of this listing of 5 Amazing Asian Amphibians, the Limnonectes larvaepartus.
• The recently discovered species, presently known by only its scientific name, truly represents a highly unique species of frog. This newly recognized and quite remarkable animal species does not yet possess a common name, unfortunately.
• The amazing creature received its first scientific recognition in 1994, though under a different, temporary designation. Its first formal description and naming took place in 2014, however. That occurred at the hands of a group of three herpetologists.
• Astonishingly, this incredible amphibian also represents one of only four known varieties of a frog to develop fang-like teeth. Currently 6,455 known extant species of frog exist. This animal now represents one of only twelve to reproduce internally.
• To add to its distinctiveness, it is the only known frog on earth to not only conceive internally, but to give birth to fully developed tadpoles. All of the other species of frogs known to science that also give birth to live young deliver froglets.
• The IUCN now lists the Limnonectes larvaepartus as Least Concern on its Red List of Threatened Species. That status may soon change, though, since its numbers seem to be diminishing. It faces many threats, including that of climate change.

Limnonectes larvaepartus Physical Description

Though the Limnonectes larvaepartus fascinates researchers, it does not do so based on  size. That’s because the amphibian remains a somewhat diminutive species. Overall, mature adults of this variety of frog attain an average length of roughly 1.5 in (3.8 cm).

This small marvel of Nature further exhibits a slight degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In its particular case, this trait manifests itself in the fact that females average slightly greater in length than their male counterparts.

Not to be completely overshadowed, though, the shorter males typically possess a stouter body shape. The otherwise impressive Limnonectes larvaepartus nevertheless also remains an overall lightweight, with mature adults averaging only 0.18 oz (5 grams) in weight.

Its appearance, meanwhile, tends to vary between individuals. The upper portions of the body vary in color the most. This portion may be either brownish gray, golden tan or reddish-brown. Its underbelly, though, develops as either cream-colored or yellowish.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Amphibia
• Order: Anura
• Family: Dicroglossidae
• Genus: Limnonectes
• Species: L. larvaepartus

Limnonectes larvaepartus Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The diminutive Limnonectes larvaepartus regrettably remains endemic to a highly restricted region of the globe. That small area consists of the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, in Asia. It also remains unclear if the creature ever possessed a more extensive range.

It further demonstrates very specific preferences in terms of where it chooses to make its home. The nature of that habitat, unfortunately, makes detailed study of the animal difficult. The living area of the diminutive marvel consists of a very dense jungle.

Even there, however, the Limnonectes larvaepartus only appears in a very specific type of local environment. To the knowledge of scientists, the isolated animal only makes its home near streams, and only in the more mountainous regions of its island home.

The precise dietary habits of this wonder of evolution has not yet been fully determined, due to the inherent difficulties of studying it in detail. Like its many relatives, though, adults feed on the various small insects species so prevalent within its zone of habitation.

After mating, females typically produce about 100 eggs. How the surprising creature achieves internal reproduction actually remains a complete mystery to researchers, however. This occurs because the male possesses no discernible reproductive organ. 

Wallace’s Flying Frog

Wallace’s Flying Frog Facts

• The final entry into this article about 5 Amazing Asian Amphibians, the Wallace’s Flying Frog, also does so only becaue of random selection.
• The very name for the awesome animal serves to indicate just how extraordinary it is. The common term derives partly from its unique ability, and also from the name of the individual that first discovered it. That was British biologist, Alfred R. Wallace.
• The generally used named for this minuscule marvel of Nature remains much easier to remember than its scientific name, however. That tongue-twisting term, typically only used by professionals, is that of Rhacophorus nigropalmatus.
• Not surprisingly, the name’s somewhat misleading, since the animal does not actually fly. It does, however, glide short distances from tree to tree. Though not, again to one’s astonishment, the only known frog to possess this ability, it’s among the largest.
• The exact extent of the population of the Wallace’s Flying Frog continues to elude researchers. This occurs due to the fact that sightings happen infrequently. Experts further remain undecided as to whether this indicates a small population or not.
• For the moment, pending more information, the IUCN lists the remarkable and distinctive creature as Least Concern. This status, while subject to revision, presently appears on the organization’s Red List of Threatened Species.
• The fascinating animal nonetheless faces several clear threats to its continued existence. Ongoing habitat loss now represents an imminent danger to it. Its greatest peril, however, now comes in the form of the effects of escalating climate change.

Wallace’s Flying Frog Physical Description

The impressiveness of the aptly-named Wallace’s Flying Frog does not originate solely with its aerial abilities. Its size and appearance both also serve to merit interest in the wonder. In fact, it constitutes a slightly larger than average variety of frog.

The amazing amphibian further displays the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism, like many of its kin. In its specific case, this trait manifests itself in the fact that females, averaging 3.9 in (10 cm) in length, attain a slightly greater size than males.

Most people generally consider the Wallace’s Flying Frog to be highly photogenic, and rightfully so. The colors the animal presents typically include a bright green on the back. It also, however, usually displays either yellow or a pale white on the underside.

It also evolved over-sized webbed feet that it utilizes to glide from tree to tree. The eyes, meanwhile, grow quite large, and possess striking horizontal pupils. Not stopping there, the species also has large toe pads, which help it cling to trees as it lands from its flight.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Amphibia
• Order: Anura
• Family: Rhacophoridae
• Genus: Rhacophorus
• Species: R. nigropalmatus

Wallace’s Flying Frog Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The remarkable Wallace’s Flying Frog, in fact, actually inhabits a moderately broad section of the world, at least when compared to related species. That habitat range, as it currently stands known, extends from the Malay Peninsula to western Indonesia, in Asia. 

Within that somewhat extensive zone of habitation, though, it displays quite specific preferences for where it appears. To the knowledge of researchers, it only inhabits regions of rainforest, for starters. Even there, though, it specifically limits its range.

The amphibian does not seem to reside at altitudes of greater than 1,970 ft (600 m) above sea level. Yet another habitat requirement remains the local presence of either small pools of fresh water or slow-moving streams. These it requires for its evolved breeding habits.

The Wallace’s Flying Frog spends the majority of its life in the trees, descending only to mate and lay eggs. Its known diet, meanwhile, consists entirely of a variety of small insects. Finally, its only known natural predators seem to be various arboreal snakes.

5 Amazing Asian Amphibians

We sincerely hope that you have thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning from this article about 5 Amazing Asian Amphibians. It’s our further hope that it served to instill in you a hunger to learn more. If so, we invite you to peruse our many other articles.

Sadly, however, many of the countless species around the world now find themselves facing dire threats to the very existence. It’s up to each and every one of us to do all that we can to protect and preserve the wonders of Nature for our posterity to enjoy.

Check out our other articles on 7 Stunning United States Mammals, The Mighty Tornado, 4 Refreshingly Remarkable Rivers, Earth’s Many Magnificent Marsupials