The Mozambique rain frog (Breviceps mossambicus) is. Found across parts of southern Africa, including Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, this little amphibian is part of the short-headed frog family (Breviceps). Like its cousins, it has a round, chubby body, stubby legs, and a comically small head, giving it the appearance of a grumpy balloon with eyes. Despite its funny looks, it’s perfectly adapted to its underground lifestyle, spending much of its time hidden in burrows and only coming out when the rains soften the soil.
What makes the Mozambique rain frog stand out is its unique way of life beneath the ground. Unlike most frogs, which leap around and live near water, this frog uses its short but powerful back legs to dig backwards into the soil, where it creates a safe burrow. It’s not a great jumper or swimmer—in fact, it’s pretty clumsy above ground—but in the dirt, it’s right at home. This adaptation allows it to survive in dry, sandy, or grassy habitats where many other frog species would struggle. Its skin is thick and helps prevent water loss, making it extra tough for life outside ponds and streams.
The breeding behavior of the Mozambique rain frog is another quirky highlight. Instead of laying eggs in water, females lay them in moist burrows underground. The eggs are relatively large, and when they hatch, they don’t turn into tadpoles at all. Instead, they emerge as fully formed mini-frogs, skipping the tadpole stage completely. This direct development means they aren’t tied to water sources, which gives them a huge advantage in arid environments. Mating also comes with a twist: males are much smaller than females, so they produce a sticky secretion to glue themselves to the female’s back during reproduction, literally—an unusual but effective solution in the frog world.
Distribution
Angola
Botswana
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Eswatini
Malawi
Mozambique
South Africa
Tanzania
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
