Breviceps – short-headed frogs

One of the quirkiest and most adorable frog groups in Africa. These little amphibians are instantly recognizable by their round, plump bodies, stubby legs, and tiny faces. Unlike the sleek, athletic image people often have of frogs, Breviceps species look more like grumpy rubber balls with eyes. Found across southern and eastern Africa, they are burrowers at heart, living most of their lives underground and only emerging when the rains arrive.

What sets Breviceps apart from many other frogs is their adaptation to a subterranean lifestyle. Instead of swimming or leaping gracefully, they are diggers, using their strong, short hind limbs to burrow backward into the soil. Their skin is thick and tough, helping them retain moisture while underground, which is especially useful in the drier habitats they often call home. Their small, rounded heads—where their name “short-headed frog” comes from—make them look almost toy-like, but they’re perfectly built for pushing through dirt and hiding away from predators.

Female Breviceps frogs lay relatively large eggs in underground burrows, and instead of producing tadpoles that need water, the eggs hatch straight into tiny froglets. This means these frogs aren’t tied to ponds, streams, or wetlands for breeding, giving them an edge in drier environments. Males, being much smaller than females, face a unique challenge in mating—so instead of the typical frog embrace (amplexus), they rely on sticky secretions to quite literally glue themselves to the female’s back. This unusual “solution” makes them one of the rare examples of glue-assisted romance in the animal world!

When threatened, they inflate their bodies like little balloons to make themselves harder to swallow, turning into tiny, grumpy puffballs. Their comical looks and behaviors have made them internet sensations, often described as “angry marshmallows” or “walking potatoes with faces.”