Found across much of southern Africa, this species is a master of survival in both wet and dry conditions. It’s a medium-sized frog with a mottled grey or brown body that blends perfectly with tree bark, making it almost invisible during the day when it rests. But what really sets it apart isn’t its looks—it’s its incredible nesting behavior, which has made it one of the most unusual frogs in the world.

Unlike most frogs that lay eggs directly in water, the Grey foam-nest tree frog builds a frothy nest high above ponds, pools, or even rain-filled cattle troughs. Several males may gather around a single female, whipping up a white, foamy mass with their hind legs as she lays her eggs. This foam acts like a protective nursery, shielding the eggs from predators, parasites, and drying out in the hot African sun. When the tadpoles hatch, they drop safely into the water below—like parachuting babies beginning the next stage of life. It’s such an ingenious strategy that it has become the frog’s signature trait.

The Grey foam-nest tree frog is also remarkable for its ability to withstand extreme conditions. In the dry season, when water is scarce, it hides in tree crevices or under bark, entering a state of torpor to conserve energy and water. Its skin has special properties that help reduce water loss, allowing it to survive in habitats that many other frogs cannot. When the rains return, it emerges in full force, and ponds and pools echo with its loud, chuckling calls as males compete for the attention of females.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Angola

2013

Botswana

2013

DR Congo (Kinshasa)

2013

Presence Uncertain

Eswatini

2013

Kenya

2013

Malawi

2013

Mozambique

2013

Namibia

2013

Somalia

2013

Presence Uncertain

South Africa

2013

Tanzania

2013

Zambia

2013

Zimbabwe

2013