Nasikabatrachidae

This frog is native to the Western Ghats in India, a mountain range known for its rich biodiversity. The purple frog is distinct not only for its unusual color but also for its unique shape and behavior. It has a round, bloated body that is dark purple or brownish in color, which gives it a somewhat odd appearance compared to other frogs. Its body is shaped like a balloon, with short limbs and a pointed snout that almost looks like a pig’s nose. This unusual nose is what gives it its scientific name, Nasikabatrachus, which roughly translates to “nose frog.”

One of the most remarkable characteristics of the purple frog is its lifestyle. Unlike most frogs, which are often seen hopping around ponds or streams, the purple frog spends almost its entire life underground. It is a burrowing species, living deep in the soil where it feeds on termites and ants. Its strong, muscular limbs are adapted for digging, allowing it to burrow through the Earth with ease. The purple frog has a small mouth with a pointed snout that helps it capture its prey in the narrow underground tunnels it creates. This secretive lifestyle makes the purple frog very hard to spot, and it is rarely seen above ground except during the monsoon season.

The purple frog is considered a living fossil because its lineage dates back nearly 120 million years to the time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. It is one of the few remaining members of an ancient group of frogs that once lived on the supercontinent Gondwana.