Fauna of South Africa - Amphibians and Reptiles

Amphibians and Reptiles

Amphibians in South Africa are represented by the frogs and toads (Order Anura); the salamander and caecilian orders are absent. About 110 out of the 135 species of frog native to Southern Africa exist in South Africa, about 50% of them endemic. About 15% of the total number of species are threatened to varying degrees according to IUCN guidlenes. Frogs tend to be less abundant in the arid west compared to the rest of the country.

The ten or so families in South Africa are as follows:

Rain Frogs

The rain frogs belong to the family Microhylidae and are classified in the genus Breviceps. Rain frogs are unable to swim; if they fall into a body of water, they puff up and float until they reach the shore.

River or 'Typical' Frogs

The Cape River Frog falls under the family Pyxicephalidae, and is widespread over the country, also occurring in Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland. In the same family is the critically endangered Micro Frog, classified in its own genus, Microbatrachella. Genus Pyxicephalus comprises the African Bullfrog, which are among the biggest amphibians in the world.

Cacos, Puddle Frogs, African Torrent Frogs

The Common Caco is a species of frog in the Petropedetidae family. This family, along with the Pyxicephalidae mentioned above, are often placed as subfamilies in the family Ranidae.

Ghost Frogs

The family Heleophrynidae is endemic to Southern Africa and are known as the ghost frogs. They inhabit fast-moving streams. Some are confined to restricted areas in South Africa, such as the Table Mountain Ghost Frog and the Natal Ghost Frog.

'Typical' Toads

The 'typical' toads, of family Bufonidae, include the Western Leopard Toad, the Raucous Toad, the Gutteral Toad and a few other species.

Clawed Frogs

The Pipidae are a family of primitive, aquatic frogs, with representatives both in Southern Africa and South America. The most famous member is the African Clawed Frog, or Platanna. This frog is a model organism for biological study, and it was once used extensively for pregnancy tests, where the urine from pregnant women induced the frog to lay eggs. The platanna may be the source of the chytrid fungus that is devastating frog species worldwide. A less well-known relative is the Cape Platanna, which is endangered.

Sedge and Bush Frogs

The family Hyperoliidae has a few representatives in South Africa, including the Painted Reed Frog, the Arum Lily Reed Frog, and Kassina maculata.

Moss Frogs

The only locally-occurring member of the Rhacophoridae family, the Grey Foam-nest Treefrog has an interesting breeding system. A female lays her eggs onto a tree branch. Several males then cluster around her and fertilise the eggs by producing sperm which they whip into a foamy 'nest' with their hind legs. After a period of time, the tadpoles exit this 'foam nest' and drop into the pond or puddle below. This species is present in the north-east of the country.

Squeakers

The Common Squeaker is another species which is the sole representative of its family, in this case Arthroleptidae, in South Africa.

Shovelnose Frogs

The Marbled snout-burrower is a member of the family Hemisotidae.