‘Toad’ ally freaky for frogs – The Bubbling beauty
This column features everything you need to know about frogs.
SOME of you, whether at home or in the bush, may have heard a strange, bubbling noise outside. You may or may not have guessed it, but that sound comes from a very pretty frog: the Bubbling Kassina (Kassina senegalensis).
What does it look like?
It looks quite different to the average frog. It has somewhat of a bullet-shaped body. The skin is generally pale yellow in colour, with broad brown or black stripes running down it. It has rather large eyes too.
Athletic frogs
One way you could identify the Bubbling Kassina is by the way they move. Another name for them is the Senegal Running Frog (they were first found in Senegal). Unlike most frogs that hop, these frogs ‘run’.
ALSO READ: ‘Toad’ally freaky for frogs – The Natal Tree Frog
The Rain and Shovel-nosed Frog, which we have covered recently in this column, also walk as opposed to hopping, but not as quickly as the Kassina. The Kassina is less chubby with much longer legs, allowing it to move at a faster speed.
It’s not going to outrun you, but it could outrun some of its predators. It’s very entertaining to watch them run.
What do they sound like?
You won’t mistake the call of this frog for any other species. As its name suggests, their call sounds like a bubble bursting, or similar to a dripping tap. When many males are calling, the night sky is filled with this beautiful bubbling chorus. I love it.
ALSO READ: ‘Toad’ ally freaky for frogs: Snoring Puddle Frog
Are they poisonous? No
Where do they live?
Their preferred habitat is grasslands and savannahs. In these areas, they can be seen/heard around dams, ponds, pans, but not around running water (streams and rivers).
In the Highway area, I have found them on Fields Hill and further inland, where their preferred habitat is more common.
PHOTO: Nick Evans
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
