What is rail frogs?

Rail frogs are a group of frogs belonging to the family Ceratobatrachidae. They are found mostly in Africa, Madagascar, and adjacent islands. These frogs are named so due to their preference for living near railways, where they often congregate on the tracks or nearby vegetation.

Rail frogs are small, ranging in size from 1 to 5 cm. They have a distinctive, flattened body shape, which allows them to inhabit narrow spaces between stones and rocks. They have a wide, round head, and their eyes are positioned high on their head.

Rail frogs are active mainly at night and feed on small insects and invertebrates. Most species breed in streams or pools, and some exhibit direct development, in which the eggs hatch into miniature versions of the adult, bypassing the tadpole stage.

Several species of rail frogs are threatened due to habitat loss and fragmentation, especially those living in Madagascar. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these unique and important species.