So I bet you’re thinking right now that the Purple Frog is going to be just like most of the others, but a bright and colourful Purple. You couldn’t be further from truth however, if that’s the case.
The Purple Frog, which is native to the Western Ghats area of India, is nothing like it’s relatives, and is so rare that their have only been around 135 confirmed sightings on record.
The Purple Frog has a huge body but only a very small head, in comparison
These little amphibians only surface for a few short weeks every year and spend the rest of their time living under ground. Out of the 135 reported sightings, only 3 of those were female, demonstrating just how rare these strange looking animals really are.
The Purple Frogs are easily recognisable, on the rare occasion that they are spotten, as their features are unlike those of any other Frogs. They have a tiny purple or blue ring around their eyes, and their disproportionate heads look like something out of the movie ‘Evolution’. What’s more, these little Frogs don’t even sound like Frogs either, it has been reported that they in fact sound more like a chicken when they are calling out to find a mate.
Scientists have ranked the Purple Frog as number 4 on the list Evolutionary Distinct And Globally Endangered list, mainly due to the cultivation of land around their natural habitats, for farming.
It’s a shame that these little amphibians may not be around for much longer, with scientists unable to predict any exact estimated population figure, due to the fact they are so rare. We hate to see any animals go extinct so we had to share their story so that everybody gets a chance to learn about these ugly but amazing animals.
What do you think about the Purple Frog? We feel they are certainly unique and are amazed that a species that has estimated to be millions of years old has remained so well hidden for so long!
