Deep in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, a unique and striking creature lurks among the fallen leaves—the long-nosed horned frog. Also known as the Malayan Horned Frog, this amphibian is famous for its remarkable camouflage and the distinctive “horn” that gives it its name. Let’s dive into the world of this fascinating frog, exploring its characteristics, habitat, and the interesting ways it has adapted to its environment.

The long-nosed horned frog is most noted for its protruding nose, which extends from its face like a leafy appendage. This feature, along with its green, brown, and red mottled skin, allows the frog to blend almost seamlessly with the leaf litter of the forest floor. The body of the frog is robust and large, with females being notably larger than males, sometimes reaching up to 10 centimeters in length.

This species is found throughout the rainforests of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and parts of Borneo and Sumatra. They prefer moist, lowland environments where there is plenty of leaf litter and humidity—essential for their survival. The frogs are predominantly terrestrial but remain close to water sources necessary for their reproductive cycle.

The long-nosed horned frog is a formidable predator. It uses its superb camouflage to ambush unsuspecting prey, primarily insects, spiders, and occasionally small vertebrates like other frogs. It remains motionless, blending into the leaves, until a potential meal comes close enough to capture. Its diet helps control the populations of various forest insects and contributes to the ecological balance.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Brunei

2020

Indonesia

2020

Sumatera, Kalimantan

Malaysia

2020

Singapore

2020

Thailand

2020