One of East Asia’s most widespread and adaptable frogs, found across China, Korea, Japan, Mongolia, and parts of Russia. In Japan, it is often called the Daruma Pond Frog (Daruma-gaeru), and it is a familiar sight in rice paddies, ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. Its name comes from the distinctive black spots scattered across its green or brown back, often combined with a lighter belly and a faint dorsal stripe. These markings give it excellent camouflage among grasses, reeds, and muddy water.

What makes the Black-spotted Frog particularly interesting is its close relationship with humans and agriculture. It thrives in rice paddies and wetlands shaped by farming, where it feeds on insects, worms, and other small invertebrates. This makes it a valuable natural ally for farmers, helping control pests. During the breeding season in spring, males gather at ponds and paddy fields and produce loud, low-pitched croaking calls to attract females. After mating, females lay large clumps of eggs in shallow water, which develop into tadpoles that grow quickly in the warm, nutrient-rich waters of paddies and ponds.

Behaviorally, the Black-spotted Frog is both aquatic and terrestrial. It spends much of its time near water but can also be found in grassy fields or forest edges. It is an agile jumper and an excellent swimmer, diving quickly to the bottom when threatened. Unlike smaller tree frogs that cling to branches, this species prefers ground-level habitats and open water, where its powerful legs give it an advantage. In colder regions, such as northern Japan and Korea, it undergoes hibernation during winter, burying itself in mud or soil until spring.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

China

2020

Japan

2020

Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku

Korea

2020

North Korea

2020

Russia

2020

Turkmenistan

2020

Introduced