#cryptic forest frog

[herpsandbirds]

Blanc's Frog (Anomaloglossus blanci), male with froglets, family Aromobatidae, endemic to high elevations in French Guiana

ENDANGERED.

This genus was originally in the poison frog family Dendrobatidae, but has now been placed in new family, along with a few other genera.

This tiny frog is only about 1.8 cm in length.

The fathers carry the tadpoles on his back, and even transports them around briefly as froglets.

photograph by Vincent Pr��mel

[silvercap]

Blindfold and buried for the drabbles? (Chris w/chreon or if you don't feel it, Leon instead :3)

Oooooh for sure! (Prompts)

Blindfold/Buried

Chris can't see anything around the blindfold tied securely over his eyes, a second length of fabric pulling awkwardly on his jaw where they've tied it far too tightly into a makeshift gag, his wrists bound similarly in front of him. He stumbles, bare foot landing on the sharpness of what must be a rock or stick with a flare of bright pain that makes him stifle a groan. The wind is cool on his bare arms and calves, grimy underwear and muscle tank the only things still defending him from the elements, a shiver running through him as it brushes past bruises and wounds they've done nothing to treat. Chris grunts as muscled arms shove him forward again, dizzied by the lack of visuals to balance him.

"Move it, soldier, I don't have all fucking day," a voice sneers behind him, the man who's been overseeing his imprisonment every so often. Chris still doesn't know who he's associated with, the people who'd captured him an unfamiliar group who'd had access to BOWs that weren't included in the mission briefing. All he knows is that they've been less than welcoming. Anxiety twists in Chris's gut as he's frog marched forward, the vague sloping of the ground beneath him making him think they're leading him up a hill. He can't help but imagine it dropping off into a cliff or steep ravine, hoping against hope that they're not taking him up here just to break him with a fall. He hopes they'll just execute him quickly, if it comes to that.

It's not long before they slam him to a halt, yanking him backwards before he can take another step.

"Right here, Captain," a second voice drawls sardonically, and then Chris finds himself being forced to step down onto what feels like a wooden platform. They force him to his knees and then make him lie down, wooden edges scraping his shoulders and feet that tell him he's in some sort of box barely big enough to accommodate his bulk. Distress twists in his stomach. Whatever this is, it can't be good, but he's not sure what---

The blindfold is ripped away with brutal speed, the bright gray sky above blinding Chris for a moment. He blinks. Two faces loom over him, both of whom he recognizes from the compound they'd been keeping him in. He shivers, watching them grin.

"Don't worry, now, you were going to end up in the ground anyways," the scarred one says cryptically, and it's then that Chris notices with icy epiphany the dirt piled up around the edges of the coffin they've laid him in. He whimpers involuntarily, starting to sit up---but the other man steps on his shoulder with a boot and Chris is too weak from days of starvation to resist. His eyes widen. He works the gag in his mouth, trying to plead, bargain, anything at all, but the men just exchange smirks. "Might wanna hold your breath."

The scarred man lifts what looks like a long, rectangular board, and Chris can only watch in horror as he lowers the end towards the boards by Chris's feet. The second man lifts his boot, and the first drops the rest of the board into place, sealing Chris in tight darkness that steals the breath from his lungs. He shudders, fighting not to hyperventilate as nails pound into the mildew-scented wood from above, eyes squeezing shut when dirt begins to thunder onto the surface.

God, he never thought it'd end this way. Chris's heart aches at the thought of Claire, of Jill, of Leon, the panicked realization that he'll never be found four feet underground in a random forest in a foreign country bringing tears to his eyes. One falls as the last muted shovelful scoops dirt over his grave, and then there's only silence.

Locked in the dark, chest barely an inch away from the roof of his prison, Chris screams.

[chroniclingworlds]

Primamorphs

This is an incredibly diverse Euconch group, with far more genera than I can possibly categorize currently, so I will focus on the more commonly seen species. They all share the same relatively primitive traits. They have fewer bones than other Mollichordates; their limbs contain small, rod-like bones connected by muscles and ligaments. This allows greater flexibility, but prevents them from getting very large. Unlike other Mollichordates, they only have one or two toes per foot.

BarkLumps:

Pictured: the titan BarkLump, found in the forests of Maari.

These diminutive animals live worldwide, anywhere that there are decaying logs. With rasping mouthparts and ten little feet lined with suction cups, these creatures cling to dead trees and slowly scrape away rotting matter, feeding on the chitinous shells and the soft plant flesh within. There are hundreds of known species and potentially thousands of cryptic species waiting to be discovered with DNA testing. The species pictured here is among the largest BarkLump, nearly the size of a human hand, but most species are much smaller. The pattern on their shells mimic the trees that they prefer; this one is patterned to resemble the overlapping chitinous scales of Titanica trees.

Sapsuckers:

Pictured: The reticulated sapsucker, native to the labyrinth forests of Faon, is one of the larger species.

Similar to their cousins the BarkLumps, Sapsuckers are small animals that live their lives clinging to plants with the help of their many suction cup feet. But while BarkLumps eat decaying trees, Sapsuckers parasitise live plants. With the help of a highly modified beak, they insert their pharyngeal jaws into the vein of a plant and lap up the vascular fluids. Typically, the plant is unharmed by this annoying companion, but blooms of these little animals can kill even the giant Titanica trees. While many are roughly the size of the species pictured above, Sapsuckers that can easily fit on a fingernail can be found living in grassy plains and Limia carpets.

Leafies:

Pictured: the palm leaf mimic, an arboreal species living in the lush canopy of Ejoa rainforests.

Named for their incredible mimicry, these omnivores have their greatest diversity in tropical forests, but a few species can be found living in more temperate areas as well. Species which live in drier climates have shells that mimic the fat, water-filled leaves of arid plants, and species that live on the ground resemble dead leaves. They spend most of their time swaying gently with the wind, waiting for small Hexapods, BarkLumps, or Sapsuckers to venture too close and be grasped in their tiny clawed hands. They also feed on fruits, nectar, and even occasionally leaves.

Scuttlers:

Pictured: the wooly Scuttler, found in the tundra of Amki.

These elusive animals are more frequently heard than seen, scuttling around in leaf litter or the tangled roots of savannas. Eating essentially anything they come across from animals to plants to decaying matter, these are like the little vacuum cleaners of the forest floors. They are a keystone of the ecosystems, providing food for many other species and cleaning up their habitats. They are found basically everywhere except extremely arid deserts and mountaintops.

Marsh Eyes:

Pictured: the spotted lumpfrog, native to the Three Lakes region of Ejoa.

Semi-aquatic and skittish, these creatures live in ponds and swamps around the world. Their bulging eyes positioned on the tops of their heads are frequently the only thing you see of them before they vanish beneath the water. With webbed feet and thin, slimy skin, they are almost like an alien frog. Unlike frogs, they feed primarily on marsh plants, with occasional Hexapods and tubies as a protein source. Their shells are highly reduced to allow more agility underwater, but it can still be seen as a hard lump just under the skin.

Land Flounders:

Pictured: the Hyranese pancake, an average-sized land flounder from the deserts of Hyra.

Just like their aquatic namesake, land flounders bury themselves just beneath the sand of desert regions with only their eyes sticking out. There, they wait until something small enough to fit in their mouth wanders into reach. Their pharyngeal jaws are highly extendable, able to shoot out nearly twice their body length, and coated with a sticky mucus almost like a chameleon tongue. After a big meal, they can go months without needing to feed again.

[myceliomancer]

This prompt I had lots of ideas for - dragons themed around cryptic geckos, mantids, frogs, katydids. In the end though my art wasn’t matching my internal image, so I just let the pen make what it wanted and this guy popped out. I like to imagine it as a gliding inhabitant of dry tropical forests that camouflages itself amongst arboreal vegetation , like a sort of dragon colugo.

[afro-dave]

Played a few practice games with the 4-color list and didn’t really like how it felt. Possible that’s just how any Bant shell is going to go and I just won’t be comfortable on any version of Nadu, but I’m gonna try this tomorrow night and see. Next Legacy after tomorrow is in 2 weeks and I’ll probably be on a Frog deck then. Probably just Scam with the way results have been looking, but I may persuade myself into Grixis Delver

Decklist:

1 Life from the Loam

4 Swords to Plowshares

3 Prismatic Ending

4 Brainstorm

4 Ponder

1 Dress Down

1 Cryptic Coat

1 Force of Negation

4 Force of Will

2 Shuko

1 Kaldra Compleat

4 Noble Hierarch

4 Stoneforge Mystic

1 Endurance

4 Nadu, Winged Wisdom

1 Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath

1 Field of the Dead

1 Hedge Maze

1 Meticulous Archive

1 Karakas

1 Wasteland

1 Savannah

2 Tropical Island

2 Tundra

4 Flooded Strand

4 Misty Rainforest

1 Forest

1 Island

Sideboard:

1 Blue Elemental Blast

1 Hydroblast

2 Surgical Extraction

1 Carpet of Flowers

2 Veil of Summer

2 Force of Vigor

1 Damping Sphere

1 Endurance

2 Containment Priest

2 Lavinia, Azorius Renegade

[lovely-cryptids]

They don’t need to know that you’ve set up a frog and worm sanctuary behind the field of mushrooms. They don’t need to know that you adopted an opossum last month. They don’t even need to know that you’ve lost touch with everything else around you.

They already knew of your endeavors. They were there, after all.

Nobody comes to the forest without needing to escape harsher realities for a bit.

The trees of the forest won’t judge. They’ll keep you safe until you’re ready to go back. Be kind to the forest and it will be kind to you.

[frogs-on-logs]

:0 it’s my first post...

this lil man was vibing in my garden so I got him a bowl of water and he decided to hang out in there for awhile

[drkwaters]

Ḩ̶͍̮͓͆͂̈́́̂̏͊͒͆͛͊̍̚͠ͅa̸̧̲̼̬̝̜̻̱̪̖͉̦̤̎͜͜v̴̧̛̛̭͖̯̜̭̝͓͈̗̜̟̺̙̈̑͌̉̓̆̅̅̋͗̚͠ͅe̸̛̤̲̺̺̺̮̻̔̈́̔̈́̒̉̑̕̕͘͝ ̶͖̲͎̯̝͋̈́̀̃̀̕ͅy̷͕̺̭̋͆̊̈́̊͋̔͑͒̌͒̀ơ̷͍͖̤̙̺͂͆͋̅͂͗̕͝ų̴̞͔̝͇̮̹̰̞̤̭̯̹̙͂̌̉͑̏̑̅̏̐͘͠ ̶̞̹̦̪͎̘̺̰̜͑̀́́s̶̡̥͍̻̪̠̬̙͚͑͜ͅę̷̛̙͍͓̪͇̼͚̭̩̖͖̈̀̈́͒̓̾͊̋͑͋ȩ̷̛̯͇̫̩̱͙͚̓͌͊̄̈́́̚͜͝ň̵̩̦͎̊ ̵̯̤͈̊͗̾͗͝m̴̩̤̘̱̳͚̝̲̍͌͗̿ỹ̸̢͖̟̳̬͉̀͑͆́͆͝͝ͅ ̴̧̪̫͎̲̥͓̞̯͇͈̊͒m̵̢̟͕̯̺͍͈̼͔̕ͅą̴̛̛̞̘͎̰́͗́͐͒̈́̍̓͑́̀̉̕s̸̢̩͎̦͚͖͖͓͕͈͔͔̾͂̇͗̓̍͌͗͆͝k̴̝̯͍͚̮̿̌̄͋?̶̜̝̗̺͇̯͓̩͙̯̝̏̊̅͑̅͌̀̾͜͜

[tropic-havens]

Golden-eyed Leaf-frog at Montaña Azul, Varablanca, Provincia de Heredia, Costa Rica

The Golden-eyed Leaf-frog (or splendid leaf frog) is a tree frog of the Hylidae family native to the Caribbean slopes of southeastern Nicaragua and eastern Honduras southwards through Costa Rica and Panama to Pacific lowlands of Colombia and northwestern Ecuador.

It might represent a composite of cryptic species. It is a nocturnal, arboreal frog inhabiting primary humid lowland forest. It comes down only to breed in tree holes and in small fishless pools.

[lovely-cryptids]

guys the toad THE TOAD

Ok so this is a collection of images I call 7 annoying images and 1 insulting one. It’s terrible but this is what my brain lets me draw so have a giggle.

Honestly can’t stop laughing at these and I think that says something deeply wrong about me but hey I now have images to annoy my friends with!

[herpsandbirds]

Brilliant-thighed Poison Frog (Allobates femoralis), family Aromobatidae, Loreto, Peru

This genus was originally in the "Poison Dart Frog" family Dendrobatidae, but is now in a separate family, along with the Cryptic Forest Frogs.

They are not as toxic as the poison frogs in the family Dendrobatidae.

photograph by Alessandro Catenazzi 

[justsomeectoplasm]

Sila + Horizon scenes because they live free in my head right now.

- They now visits Sila's cinic every time they pass by the forest. They realize that she might be lonely but they never dare point this out of fear.

- They will always try to pay her with something after taking the medicines.

- Horizon's alchemist friend, Silas, doesn't like her, doesn't trust her. Despite using almost same eccentric methods and ingredients to improve skyborn lives, he hates her.

- Horizon had an accident/emergency! Despite hating her, Silas rushed to her as the only one who knows how to deal with darkness infused skyborns.

Horizon being a bit tsundere over Sila. That's so cute!

Sila can be a bit lonely, with Kari and a frog loving moth being their only company (Moth will come out soon. Just need to draw them) so they appreciate Horizons' visits. Sila would probably reject Horizons' offerings to pay them back though. As strange as she is, Sila likes to help people. That's a huge part of why she became a healer.

Kari watching Silas and Sila fighting: PRESIDENTIAL ALERT: THE GIRLS ARE FIGHTING!

Honestly I can see Sila doing a lot of stuff to annoy Silas. This cryptic bastard sees that someone doesn't like her and does everything in their power to be a nuisance. For example moving everything in Silas alchemy room slightly to the left or correcting them on herbs that he picked. Just little things that'll tick him off. I can also see them playfully bantering with each other, with Kari thinking that it's all in good fun while Silas is mad that they won't take him seriously. Sila sees him as a Frenemie (well at least in Sila mind that's how she views their relationship)

But I also want to imagine that Silas might later develope some respect for them. He still doesn't like them, but he can respect that she's willing to treat every dark illness there is.

[bufomancer]

Comparing Pacman Frogs, Tomato Frogs, and Chubby Frogs

Pacman frogs, tomato frogs, and chubby frogs are perhaps the three most common terrestrial frogs in captivity. At just about any pet store or reptile expo you’re bound to find at least one of these delightful little fellows. While they’re relatively similar to each other, they’re not identical, and their ideal care in captivity will look somewhat different. Today we’ll be going through some of the main points regarding their care and comparing and contrasting the three species!

This is NOT a care guide, just a brief overview of some of the similarities and differences between these frogs and how that will influence their optimal care as pets. It is critical to do in depth research prior to acquiring your new pet. Additionally, “pacman frog” can refer to any of 8 different species in the genus Ceratophrys as well as any hybrids thereof. In this article we will only be talking about the one most common in captivity, Ceratophrys cranwelli. While their congeners share many similarities, their care is not identical and they should not be treated as interchangeable.

Lastly, please do not share the above graphic without the included written text here, and please attribute myself as the author, as well as the photographers of the frog images.

With that out of the way, let’s get into the details.

Cranwell’s Pacman Frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli)

Pacman frogs are native to the Gran Chaco region of South America, a hot, semi-arid expanse of land containing forests, wetlands, and savannas. During periods of extreme temperature or dryness, pacman frogs burrow into the soil and encase themselves in a thick protective layer of skin until conditions are more suitable. During the day they are often found partially buried with their heads exposed. They are ambush hunters and will find a place where they can both find prey and hide from predators. Insects will walk right past the motionless frogs, unaware that they are being watched- until they strike. They are nocturnal and primarily active at night. During this time they may move to find water, or a better place to settle in the morning. When it is breeding season they gather in temporary pools of water to seek out mates and lay eggs.

Pacman frogs are generalists, eating anything they can get their huge mouths on. Invertebrates, other amphibians, reptiles, and small rodents are most common but even crabs have been found on occasion in the stomach or gut of a wild specimen. They are solitary and cannibalistic, and must be kept singly in terraria. Otherwise, you’ll quickly end up with just one pacman frog anyways, especially if there is a notable size difference. Female pacman frogs have no qualms about attacking males whom they do not want to mate with, though this species is not difficult to breed in captivity with the right seasonal cycling and a little effort. Their powerful bites can draw blood, so be careful during feeding and handling.

The ideal terrarium for a pacman frog has a deep layer of substrate for burrowing into, mixed to mimic the sandy soils of their native habitat. A large water dish is very important, large enough for your frog to soak its entire body in. While you want a few plants (live or fake), they do not require a thick jungle. It is good to provide a hide or two for them, but typically they will burrow into the soil with their heads sticking out instead. A halogen bulb is best for daytime heat; they typically require no additional heating at night. It is also key to provide UVB in the Ferguson Zone 1 range. Many issues with frogs burrowing constantly are resolved when proper lighting is provided, encouraging their natural cryptic basking behaviors. Be sure that there is room for your frog to choose between full exposure, partial exposure, and zero exposure to the lights.

A male pacman frog grows to roughly 3-3.5 inches, whereas a female can grow to 5-6. Males may be kept in an enclosure with a minimum of 360 square inches of floorspace, such as a 20 gallon long terrarium. Females should be kept in an enclosure with a minimum of 650 square inches of floorspace, such as a 40 gallon breeder terrarium. Height is not very important except to provide a deep substrate and safe distance from lights. Your frog may use minor climbing opportunities such as rocks, the tops of hides, and broad branches, but they’re certainly not tree frogs.

Pacman frogs can live 10-15 years in captivity.

Tomato Frog (Dyscophus guineti)

Tomato frogs are endemic to Madagascar, in swamps and moist forests. Their red, orange, yellow, and brown coloration blends in with fallen leaves. Captive bred specimens are generally selected for the boldest reds and oranges, like a ripe tomato. Tomato frogs breed during the long rainy season and lay their eggs in pools of water. At night they roam the forest floor hunting invertebrates, while during the day they hide in the leaf litter. They are often found in soggy areas of land near slow moving bodies of water.

Typically, tomato frogs, male or female, max out at 3.5 inches though specimens just over 4 inches are not unheard of. Generally, a terrarium with 360 square inches of floor space is suitable for a single tomato frog, but an individual on the large end of the spectrum would benefit from an upgrade. Of course, you can go as big as you like for your frog no matter their size!

While they are not considered to be truly social, they lack the same bloodthirsty instinct as pacman frogs and can sometimes be successfully maintained in breeding pairs or groups. Small tomato frogs may become prey for a larger one, but they are not as cannibalistic as pacmans. Cohabitation in captivity requires a larger than minimum enclosure and special care to prevent competition over resources, such as fighting for the prime basking spot or to soak in the water dish. This can be solved by providing multiple larger water dishes, and a large enough basking zone for all individuals to share without being crowded on top of each other.

The ideal terrarium for a single tomato frog includes ample substrate to burrow into, and a layer of leaf litter on top. You may find they snuggle into the leaf litter rather than actually burrowing all the way into the soil layer. They will appreciate plenty of vegetation to hide beneath, and a large water dish for soaking into. A drainage layer is recommended to prevent buildup of harmful bacteria from the damp conditions tomato frogs prefer. Ensure that parts of the terrarium remain drier, rather than the whole setup being waterlogged. A halogen bulb is ideal for daytime heat, in most homes supplemental nighttime heat is unnecessary. Include access to UVB in the Ferguson Zone 1 range and ensure they have the room to choose between full exposure, partial exposure, and no exposure to the lights. Tomato frogs may not use hides, but it is good to provide one or two anyways. Usually they are right at home nestled amongst the leaf litter and various foliage in the terrarium. They are a little more agile than pacman frogs and may use minor climbing activities, but they are also primarily terrestrial.

Tomato frogs live on average 5-10 years in captivity.

Chubby Frog (Kaloula pulchra)

Chubby frogs are native to the forests and rice fields of mainland Southeast Asia. Despite their wide range and prevalence in the pet trade, their wild behavior is minimally studied though there is still some interesting information to be found on them. Multiple papers have recorded chubby frogs and their congener, Kaloula taprobanica, several meters up in trees. This suggests that they may potentially be best described as semi arboreal rather than solely terrestrial. While all species, no matter how terrestrial, are capable of climbing here and there, scaling trees is a little different from clambering over hills, logs, and other obstacles in your path.

In any case, those papers should be taken as evidence that chubby frogs in captivity should be provided with climbing activities, which is why a 29 gallon terrarium is recommended as the minimum enclosure size for a single chubby. It has the same base dimensions as a 20 long, but an extra 6 inches of height. A 24x18x24 inch terrarium would be even better. Chubby frogs are quite small, typically getting no larger than 3 inches.

They are the most placid of the three species, with many keepers maintaining them in pairs and groups without issue. Their small mouths make it difficult for them to cannibalize each other, though care should still be taken to prevent stress from competition over resources. Their diet primarily consists of ants and similarly sized prey, though in captivity they can take suitably sized crickets, roaches, and small worms.

The ideal terrarium for a chubby frog includes deep soil with a layer of leaf litter. They should have plenty of foliage for hiding in, though live plants should be hardy enough to withstand a squashing from a small but chunky frog. Broad branches can create climbing opportunities, which are sure to be appreciated- just be aware as primarily nocturnal frogs you may not see them being used! A halogen bulb is ideal for daytime heat and typically no supplemental heating is needed at night. UVB should be provided in the Ferguson Zone 1 range and as always your frog should be able to choose between full exposure, partial exposure, and no exposure. A large enough water dish for soaking in is required.

Chubby frogs live on average 5-10 years in captivity.

Conclusion

Pacman frogs, tomato frogs, and chubby frogs share a lot of similarities- they are Ferguson Zone 1 animals, they are insectivores, they are primarily terrestrial and nocturnal- but they are not identical. They are different sizes, live in different habitats, and use their environment differently. Their ideal setups are a little bit different. All three of these frogs make great pets, and are a delight to care for and observe. Knowing what makes them similar and what makes them different is key to figuring out which you would most like to own. Maybe you even want one of each!

The information above is, once again, merely an overview and not a replacement for in depth research on their care. This information has been compiled from a variety of sources such as websites containing habitat information, scientific papers about these species, images of the frogs and their habitats in the wild, personal experience with caring for these frogs, discussion with keepers and breeders, discussion with those living in the native ranges of these frogs, and more. Below are a few resources to get you started with learning more in depth about the care of these frogs, but by no means an exhaustive list.

If you have any questions, please ask.

Pacman Frog Resources

Image used in graphic:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/adrian-afonso/1664147176

iNaturalist photos: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/22844-Ceratophrys-cranwelli/browse_photos

Vera Candioti, María Florencia. "Morphology and feeding in tadpoles of Ceratophrys cranwelli (Anura: Leptodactylidae)." Acta Zoologica 86.1 (2005): 1-11.

Grayson, Kristine L., et al. "Effects of prey type on specific dynamic action, growth, and mass conversion efficiencies in the horned frog, Ceratophrys cranwelli." Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 141.3 (2005): 298-304.

Souza, Paulo Robson, et al. "A voracious female during the courtship of Ceratophrys cranwelli (Anura: Ceratophryidae) in the Brazilian Chaco." (2014).

Schalk, Christopher M., et al. "On the diet of the frogs of the Ceratophryidae: synopsis and new contributions." South American Journal of Herpetology 9.2 (2014): 90-105.

Miller, Mark D.H. , Webb, Kempton E. and Martin, Gene E.. "Gran Chaco". Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Feb. 2015, https://www.britannica.com/place/Gran-Chaco. Accessed 15 August 2021.

Tomato Frog Resources

Image used in graphic is my own, © Aster Laurel Montor

iNaturalist photos: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/25152-Dyscophus/browse_photos

Monroy, Jenna A., and Kiisa C. Nishikawa. "Prey location, biomechanical constraints, and motor program choice during prey capture in the tomato frog, Dyscophus guineti." Journal of Comparative Physiology A 195.9 (2009): 843-852.

Brenes‐Soto, Andrea, and Ellen S. Dierenfeld. "Effect of dietary carotenoids on vitamin A status and skin pigmentation in false tomato frogs (Dyscophus guineti)." Zoo biology 33.6 (2014): 544-552.

Segev, Ori, et al. "Reproductive phenology of the tomato frog, Dyscophus antongili, in an urban pond of Madagascar's east coast." Acta Herpetologica 7.2 (2012): 331-340.

Andreone, Franco, Vincenzo Mercurio, and Fabio Mattioli. "Between environmental degradation and international pet trade: conservation strategies for the threatened amphibians of Madagascar." Natura 95.2 (2006): 81-96.

Chubby Frog Resources

Image used in graphic: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rushen/20253335546

iNaturalist photos: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/326303-Kaloula-pulchra/browse_photos

Vyas, Raju, and B. M. Parasharya. "Painted Frog (Kaloula pulchra) from Anand and Surat, Gujarat, India." Zoos’ Print Journal 19.4 (2004): 1444.

Kanamadi, Ravishankar D., Grish G. Kadadevaru, and Hans Schneider. "Advertisement call and breeding period of the frog, Kaloula pulchra (Microhylidae)." Herpetological Review 33.1 (2002): 19.

Major, Tom, et al. "Observations of Arboreality in a Burrowing Frog, the Banded Bullfrog, Kaloula pulchra (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae)." Current herpetology 36.2 (2017): 148-152.

Soud, Rakesh, et al. "Defensive and burrowing behaviour of Kaloula assamensis Das et al., 2004 and Kaloula pulchra Gray, 1831 (Microhylidae)." frog leg 18 (2012): 48-50.

Bhattacharjee, Partha Pratim, et al. "Sighting of Asian Painted Frog (Kaloula pulchra) from West Bhubanban (near Agartala city), West Tripura district, Tripura." (2011): 18-19.

Lalremsanga, H. T., Saipari Sailo, and R. N. K. Hooroo. "External morphology, oral structure and feeding behaviour of Kaloula pulchra tadpoles Gray, 1831 (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae)." Science and Technology Journal 5 (2017): 97-103.

Ganesh, S. R. "Arboreal behaviour in the Indian Painted Frog Kaloula taprobanica parker, 1934." Herpetotropicos 8.1-2 (2012): 67-70.

[cool-critters]

Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias)

The sunbittern is a bittern-like bird of tropical regions of the Americas, and the sole member of the family Eurypygidae and genus Eurypyga. It is found in Central and South America, and has three subspecies. The species is found in the humid Neotropical forests, generally with an open understorey and near rivers, streams, ponds or lagoons. They are cryptic birds that display their large wings, that exhibits a pattern that resemble eyes, when they feel threatened. The sunbittern consumes a wide range of animal prey. Insects form an important part of the diet, with cockroaches, dragonfly larvae, files, katydids, water beetles and moths being taken. Other invertebrate prey includes crabs, spiders,  shrimps and earthworms. They will also take vertebrate prey including fish, tadpoles, toads and frogs, eels and lizards. Sunbitterns are one of 12 species of birds in five families that have been described as fishing using baits or lures to attract prey to within striking distance. This type of behaviour falls within the common definition of tool use. In sunbitterns this behaviour has only been observed in captive birds so far.

photo credits: Sharp Photography, Stavenn, Snowmanradio

[theskywaslookingback]

hey ignore that last thing i wrote and then deleted this version is way better and also maybe something i’ll work on who knows, thanks anon sorry i deleted your ask but this one is way better.

The sun shines down, spilling dappled sunlight through the leaves across twigs and rocks splotches with patches of soft, damp moss. There’s birdsong carried on the soft, late summer air, drifting in and out alongside the burble of a nearby brook and chorus of frogs. A twig snaps under a clumsy, uneven gait and Jonathan Sims grumbles as he readjusts his pack where it rests heavily against his sore shoulders, swatting a tree branch out of the way as he crashes through the underbrush. He follows an underused path through the forest, one rarely trekked except for those brave enough, or desperate enough to take it.

Follow the three hills rise along the rush of the rising current, right at the elm which houses the witch’s heart, and make way past the bloody-

A rabbit darts out the way of his thundering path, it’s back paws skittering amongst the dead leaves and dirt. Jon kicks a pebble and swats at another tree branch, narrowing his eyes in search of whatever stupid landmark the locals had deemed spooky enough to mark the path toward the witch’s cottage.

Over the hills near the brook, right at the wych elm, and--

There's a large boulder, moss crawling up the side of it like a coat, a ring of mushrooms near the very base. 

Jon is very careful not to step near the mushrooms.

Now where…

The path, though Jon finds that an ill-fitting term as there was nothing that clearly defined the way he’d walked as any such thing, seemed to split in two different directions. There was a little more well defined trail on the side opposite the faerie ring, but Jon couldn’t remember exactly which way he was supposed to go. The old man who’d been the only one willing to give him directions had been infuriatingly vague and cryptic about the whole thing.

If I were a creepy magic witch that lived in the forest, where would I be?

Jon huffed and struck down the path that seemed the least used, giving the faerie ring a wide berth. It wasn’t that he believed in faeries, but, well...he’d already tested his luck as far as the supernatural went and that had gone very poorly. Jon was in no mood to test his luck again.

He huffed and struggled his way past twisting trees and bramble bushes, catching and nicking the sleeve of the large jumper he was wearing. He cursed, pulling himself free. The sweltering heat does nothing to assuage his boiling temper, clothed as he is in the biggest jumper he could find and a scarf despite it being well into August. He tries not to think about it so much, despite the itch of it against his skin and the choking heat.

Soon, he tries to tell himself, soon.

It’s almost night by the time Jon stumbles upon the cottage, all dark stone and black roofed. A wrought iron gate surrounds the property, flanked on both sides by enormous rose bushes too immense not to be magic themselves. Just inside the gate sits a little garden, full of greenery and flowers that remind Jon of things like foxglove and wormwood. The shutters, dark stained wood, are closed to give the impression of one not being home. The smoke curling gently from the chimney leaves little doubt, however, as to if the abode is occupied. Jon imagines a cauldron bubbling over a fire, full of toads eyes and newts tongues, and shivers despite the heat.

In the distance an owl hoots. Jon can no longer hear the clamour of foxes and rabbits in the brush, or toads singing their low songs in the distance. Now, faced with the end of his journey, Jon hesitates. His hand is just shy of the gate, though he can’t make himself open it. It would be rude, wouldn’t it, to go up and knock at this late hour. The sun is just barely peeking itself above the horizon now, the moon bright and full up in the sky. 

He’ll come back in the morning, he decides. 

He’ll find a place to make his little camp and come back. 

He will.

He just has to move, first.

Jon is mid discussion with his limbs, reminding them how to function again, when the door to the cottage swings open. 

Light spills out from inside the home and a man steps out, giving him a puzzled look. 

“What are you doing out here?” He asks. 

He’s- He is the most beautiful man Jon has ever seen in his life. Long black hair pulled back away from his face, pale grey eyes, and small tattoos across his knuckles and the base of his neck. “I- I-” Jon swallows, floundering, “that is to say, um-”

The man raises an eyebrow, and honestly he’s so beautiful it’s unfair.

Jon takes a deep breath. He’s practiced this. He can do this. 

“My name is Jonathan Sims and I came here looking for help. A witch has put a curse on me and I heard you could help reverse it.”

“Where did you hear that?”

Jon opens his mouth. Closes it. “In...town? Are you-- are you the witch that lives in the woods?”

The man stares at him for a long moment before cracking into a grin. He looks like he’s smothering down a laugh. “Oh, you’ll be wanting Martin then. Easy mistake.”

“Wh-what?” 

The man flaps a hand in the direction Jon  came from. “He’s my neighbor. You’re probably, oh, the third or fourth person this month that’s missed him. It’s getting a bit late, though-”

“I know, I-I’m sorry,” Jon says, “I was going to find a place to make camp, I- thank you. I’ll just-”

“Nonsense,” The man makes a vague gesture toward Jon, “you can stay here tonight. I’ll walk you over to Martin’s in the morning.”

“Oh, I-I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“I don’t mind. I don’t get visitors too often.”

Jon hesitates at the gate a moment longer, before lifting the latch and letting himself through.

The man smiles and offers him a hand, which Jon takes carefully so that the man’s fingers wrap mostly around the fabric of his jumper. The man’s hands are lovely, a bit rough and calloused but slender and strong. “Gerry,” The man says, which Jon assumes is his name.

“Thank you, Gerry.” 

“Of course, Jon.” Gerry says warmly, “Though, a bit of friendly advice? You might be a bit more careful about giving your name away to just anyone in these woods.”

“Ah-”

Gerry steps back, an odd light in his eyes, and lets Jon enter the cottage.

[schibi12]

So i had a dream where i was in ToonTown but instead of just having all the toons living together the town was divided by studios so you had Disneyville where all the Disney toons live sensational six, chip and dale, Clarabelle and Horace each with their respective house, Oswald and Ortensia and the bunny children living in a farmhouse, Julius the Cat was their he had an antique shop for some reason and sold old film equipment and cell animation, House of Mouse was there of course, Scrooge Mcduck and the Mansion and the Money Bin, Roger Rabbit and Jessica, and the three caballeros had a concert on a park it was lovely.

Next was WarnerZone all the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies and Warner Bros TV characters lived here and in the middle of this section stood in all its glory the Warner Bros. Water Tower and you know who lives in there, and this part of town was fun and chaos incarnate.

Then there was Hanna-Barbera Hills which was kinda like a modern city but combined the cities of the Jetsons, Flintstones and Scooby doo yeah it had some crazy architecture and designs. And it had a forest where Yogi Bear lived and you can find the Smurfs Village

And the for the FleischernStudios it wasn't a section of town the toons lived in a Ferry, it was called the Fleischer Ferry and they all lived in it Bimbo, Koko, Betty Boop, and Popeye was the captain of the Ferry, and for some reason Felix the Cat and Flip the Frog were there even though they're not from that studio, they're freeloading i guess.

And then i got off the Ferry and left the town and when i was leaving i heard someone said "Hope you had a nice day on ToonTown! Hope too see you soon!" And when i turned to see who called me, ToonTown was gone and then i woke up.

So apparently my dreams aren't symbolic or cryptic they're profitable.

P.s. i know i am missing a lot animation studios but that's all i remember so sorry.