The limestone karst forests in Vietnam’s northern provinces are the gifts that keep on giving.
In a recent video feature for its Planet Earth series, documentary studio Great Big Story shines the limelight on the mossy frog (Theloderma corticale), a rare species that’s native to Vietnam. The tiny amphibian gets its name from its green body accented with black spots, tubercles, and spines. These features form a perfect camouflage, shielding them from the eyes of predators.
According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, these doe-eyed cuties were discovered in Vietnam back in 1903 in their native habitat of rock cavities within the flooded floor. The semi-aquatic environment makes a perfect home for the mossy frogs, which blend in well with the moss-covered cave floor. Northern Vietnam’s limestone karsts are among the best places in the country for researchers to look for new undiscovered species in recent years.
Mossy frogs are insectivores and are especially fond of crickets and roaches. They spend most of their time submerged in the water with only their watchful eyes above the surface looking out for threats. Their impeccable disguise makes it almost impossible to spot them in the wild. While the mossy frog is not classified as an endangered species, in recent years, their habitat has been threatened by development projects in northern localities.
Have a closer look at Vietnam’s adorable mossy frogs below:
[Video via Facebook page Great Big Story]
