Recent shipment into Ireland and in need of identification

[declanmacgabhan]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone can help identify a small froglet that recently arrived into Ireland from Singapore?

The frog is now approximately 18mm total length and is extremely fast.

Thank you,

Declan

 

[John]

Not certain but it looks like an African Ranid that was considered part of the genus Pyxicephalus - not sure if it still is.

 

[declanmacgabhan]

Hi John,

That was my first thought as the frog has the same ridges on the back as a pyxie but the snout is long and I thought rocket frog, or edible? I have never seen three small frogs eat so much in a week, 3 boxes of size 1 crickets! I decided to save them as they were not ordered and would have ended up being fed to oscars or flowerhorns.

Dec

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Looks to me like Fejervarya (Rana) limnocharis, also known as the field frog.

 

[Mark]

I was going to say Fejervarya limnocharis too. They’re very common throughout Malaysia/Indonesia so a likely candidate for a shipment from Singapore. There’s a photo of an adult in one of my old threads: http://www.caudata.org/forum/messages/24791/35881.html?1115882952

The markings are pretty variable.

They move like they’re on amphetamines with rockets strapped to their butts – good luck!

 

[declanmacgabhan]

Hi, I am getting a fair few responses here and through my email that the likely candidate is Fejervarya cancrivora which is great. I am at a loss as to why these would be shipped as xenopus? but you never can tell. Has anyone ideas on the ideal temperature to keep these frogs at? I am currently keeping them at 24 degrees and they are eating fine.

 

[Mark]

Certainly looks like Fejervarya cancrivora - especially the markings on the lower jaw.

South-east Asia is hot. 24C is probably not far off the temperature they'd experience during nocturnal activity. Day temps will reach low to mid 30's regularly, sometimes higher. I'm no expert but you should be aiming for warm and humid with a dip to ~20C at night. In the wild fejervarya are quite aquatic - never more than a quick hop from a ditch or pool, they make that wonderful plopping sound as you walk along road sides.