Like its rain frog relatives, it is instantly recognizable by its round, plump body, tiny head, and stubby legs that make it look more like a disgruntled toy than a sleek amphibian. These little frogs spend most of their lives hidden beneath the soil, only surfacing after rainfall softens the earth. That’s when their squeaky calls begin, adding to the chorus of life that follows a good storm in the savanna.

Unlike most frogs, it doesn’t need ponds or streams for breeding. Instead, it thrives in sandy or grassy areas where it can burrow backward into the ground using its short but powerful hind legs. Its tough skin helps prevent drying out, which is a crucial adaptation for surviving in regions that may go long stretches without water. Above ground, it isn’t a good jumper or swimmer—it sort of waddles awkwardly—but underground, it’s perfectly at home, living a secretive life away from most predators.

Reproduction in Power’s rain frog is just as fascinating and unusual. Instead of laying eggs in water, females deposit large eggs in moist burrows underground. These eggs skip the tadpole stage entirely, hatching directly into tiny froglets that look like miniature versions of the adults. This process, known as direct development, means the species is completely independent of standing water for its life cycle—a rare trait among frogs. And because males are much smaller than females, they rely on a sticky secretion to glue themselves onto the female’s back during mating, a one-of-a-kind adaptation that makes their breeding strategy both strange and effective.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Angola

2013

Botswana

2013

Presence Uncertain

DR Congo (Kinshasa)

2013

Malawi

2013

Mozambique

2013

Namibia

2013

Presence Uncertain

Zambia

2013

Zimbabwe

2013

Presence Uncertain