Royal ghost frog

The King's ghost frog ( Heleophryne regis) is a Froschlurchart from the family of ghost frogs. It is found in South Africa in the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape.

Features

The King Spooks frog reaches a size of 35 to 45 mm. The top is brownish with yellowish spots. A dark horizontal stripe through the eye. The abdomen is characterized by a white, grainy skin. In the limbs the top is marked unsigned or slightly, the underside is flesh colored. The call is a harsh, creaking sound that is repeated at intervals of one second.

Occurrence

The species inhabits the coastal mountain ranges of the Western and Eastern Cape provinces. The distribution area extends from the rivers Huis and Peder Berg in the Outeniqua Mountains in the west, eastward along the Tsitsikamma and Kareedouw Mountain chains to the Krom River Forest Reserve in the east.

Habitat and behavior

The preferred habitat is fynbos heathland and forests at altitudes 230-790 m. The King Spooks frog spawn in fast-flowing mountain streams. The tadpoles take two years to develop.

Endangering

The King's ghost frog is classified by the IUCN as not at risk ( least concern ). Information on its population are not available, but the stock is described as stable and locally common. The majority of its habitat is protected, but there are occasional reforestation. Other hazards arise from the silting of streams and possibly to frequent fires.