This tiny frog, also called the marbled reed frog, can be found in African marshes, reed beds, and other water sources.
An abundant species in sub-Saharan Africa, Hyperolius marmoratus are insectivores; they eat crickets and a variety of other small insects.
Their colors and patterns are extremely variable. And although their psychedelic backs look wild and dramatic, this tiny frog blends in to the surroundings.
Knowing what to look for, our guide hunted around in the marshy grass and found this frog in an instant.
Less than two inches long (43 mm) and hidden on a reed, he was quietly resting in the sun.
Frogs are fascinating creatures for their calls. This species spends the day basking, and then at night the male takes up his specific calling site.
He calls consistently from dusk to midnight. This occurs for a few nights in a row, and eventually the female makes her selection. The eggs are laid in the water, between 150 and 650 eggs.
More about the African painted reed frog here.
The frog has a relatively large vocal sac that amplifies his call. During mating season when all the frogs are calling, the chorus is loud and constant.
Walking to my tent after dinner in the dark, the striking chorus emanating from the reeds (that are silent during the day) stopped me in my tracks. We visitors do not linger, however, outdoors in the dark in Africa.
Click on this BBC You Tube clip to hear and see this delightful frog.
A wildly-patterned thumb-sized frog that fills the African night with his earnest song…another reminder of the grandness of life on earth.
Photo credit: Athena Alexander
Very fascinating information of these reed frogs. It must be quite an experience listening to their chorus!! Their colour is so different to other frogs and such a lovely marbled pattern too. Thanks for this photo write-up, Jet. I agree that there’s beauty all around us!
I’m really happy you enjoyed the reed frog, Iris. They are such lovely creatures. And your heartfelt poetry does an exquisite job of relaying your appreciation for life’s beauties. My thanks~~
He looks like he has had a serious case of tie-dye or is it tye-dye? I should think the wee frog might need some throat lozenges for that kind of intense courting. One of the reasons i love having a guide are these special finds that I surely would never pick up on myself.
Absolutely Sue. What I enjoy the most about the having the luxury of a guide is coming across the hidden beauties. Your comment made me smile, and how wonderful to start my week with your fun words. Have a great week, Sue; and thank you, as always, for your visit.
Thank you, Jet for sharing this interesting information of the grog. The colors and pattern look like a beautiful marble. 🙂
It’s a pleasure to share this lovely creature with you, Amy. Thanks so much.
The air sack is really large. Nice colors too, I watched the video. 😬
I had never seen the vocal sac before viewing this video, and I found it fascinating, too, John. I’m glad you saw the video. It sounded like D. Attenborough narrating, another sound I so enjoy. Many thanks!
I believe it is him, I watch tons of BBC America, his voice is frequently hosting Nature type programs.
He’s one of my heroes. Thanks John — I hope you have a wonderful week.
Great photo! Never seen one of those before today.
Thanks so much, Kendall, I’m glad you enjoyed the reed frog.
You are welcome!
What a beauty,Jet!
I would imagine you have heard or seen the reed frogs in your neck of the woods, Dina. I hope so, they are so lovely. My thanks~~
Yes I have seen some in the Okavango Delta in Botswana…unfortunately not near my hometown.
Thanks so much for letting me know, Dina. I saw this one in the OD in Botswana too.
Our tracks have crossed somewhere..😄
I enjoyed the clip… seems like a sensible way to pick a mate!
Hi Roslyn! It takes a lot of energy for the male to sing his heart out, and this is how the female knows she has a strong and capable mate. I’m really glad you enjoyed the reed frog today with me.
Good morning, Jet. Wow! I can’t believe there is this colorful and beautiful frog! Tiny! Cute! I think the one in your photo is much prettier than the one in the video. They sound good too. 😉
Thanks for sharing. It’s so nice to see/read places/animals that I don’t think I will have a chance to see (too many on my list already ;-).
Have a wonderful day.
Yes, there are so many millions of gorgeous creatures in this world, aren’t there Helen? It’s why I like to share a few here, it brings me great pleasure. I appreciate your warm comment and visit, thank you.
Great picture of this tiny creature that looks like a piece of hippie artwork 🙂 I love frogs with all my heart. Thank you for writing about them!
This is such a lovely comment, Inese, thanks so much. They really do look like “a piece of hippie artwork.” haha.
So glad you commented on this frog; I love frogs and this ones color pattern is lovely. I checked the Youtube video to hear its mating cry which takes up a lot of energy; probably the reason for its sleeping most of the daylight hours.
I’m glad you had a chance to look at the You Tube video, SWI. Aren’t they fun little creatures? Thanks so much.
He is so cute. 🙂
Thanks very much, Lynn, for your comment and visit. He really is so cute.
Great little frog. I like how you include the small things that others might overlook.
Thanks for your kind comment, Craig–much appreciated.
He’s beautiful and what a voice!
Such a big voice for a tiny little frog. This makes me smile. Thank you Andrea.
ADORABLE little fellow ❤
I, too, think this little frog is adorable. Thanks so much, Morgan.
What an interesting looking frog…very informative post as always…loved it!!
Always a treat to hear from you, Kirt. Thanks so much for your kind words and enthusiasm. I hope your week is a good one.
He sure is a cute little fella!
My thanks, GP, for your visit and comment. Fun to share this cutie with you.
I love this post. The Painted Reed Frog is the cutest. Love the peeps. I had a nightmare once about the demise of golden frogs. I may post the pictures I made of it.
Thanks so much for your comment, Sherry. I love the peeps too, and your nightmare is telling. All of us who spend so much time outdoors do what we can to save the disappearing species, but it’s not easy. I tip my hat to you, and hope your week is full of sweet dreams.
🙂
What a glorious little frog, Jet. I’ve visited a fair number of African countries but this little chap has eluded me! I must try harder. 🙂
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
They are tricky to find because they hide in water-logged reed patches and are tiny. I’m glad I could share him with you here, Susan. Thank you for stopping by.
What a lovely little frog! Thanks for sharing your story, and the link to the video (listening to David Attenborough takes me back to boyhood, and seeing all his work on the BBC – he’s a legend!)
Thanks again, and have a great week!
I was delighted to find this video while researching for the post. And a complete joy to find it was David Attenborough, one of my heroes. I am always delighted to receive your visits and comments, pc, thank you so much. You, too, have a great week~~
I’ve never seen on like this before, it’s a beauty! Thanks Jet! 🙂
It’s great fun to introduce you to the painted reed frog, HJ. My thanks to you~~
Very interesting to learn about this unusual creature! Reminds me of our tiny American green tree frogs who cling to the reeds in our marshes….Thanks as always for sharing your discoveries. His coloring is so unique and beautiful.
They remind me, too, of our U.S. chorus frogs, BJ. Always a delight to come upon them, isn’t it? Many thanks for your visit.
I love frogs like I’m a child. I spent a lot of time times to see its metamorphosis and how they live. The pattern of the red painted frog are really amazing. Thank you for showing!
Thanks for your great comment, Simone. I like that you are a fan of frogs, too. 🙂
Oh what a cute little guy….
I love this sentence:” A wildly-patterned thumb-sized frog that fills the African night with his earnest song…another reminder of the grandness of life on earth.”
Beautiful.
Thanks so much, Peta. I am glad you enjoyed the reed frog post; and appreciate your kind words.
What a sweet little creature. A froglet, really! RH
Thanks RH, yes, they are so very tiny that “froglet” is appropriate (and creative).
A beautiful frog, Jet.
I always like all the creatures you share with us from your pond, Mike; so it’s fun to share this little reed frog with you. Thanks for stopping by.
Oh, this post is very close to my heart. I totally adore frogs! I’ve certainly never seen one like this before. I love the striking pattern and colours. It’s so aptly named—it really does look as if someone took a paintbrush to this little guy. What a joy it would be to see these beautiful frogs and to listen to their sweet calls (I loved the BBC clip too). Excellent photo! Thanks for sharing these exotic little beauties with us. Wishing you and yours a very happy day! :))
A total delight to receive your life-loving comment, Jeannie, thanks so much. I’m glad you had the chance to see the BBC clip, because it is rare to actually get to see the frog’s vocal sac and call. My thanks to you for brightening my day.
What a beautiful Frog. Honestly I thought, it was marble art piece.
I love to hear the sound of frogs croaking . It makes the night seem sprightly.
I’m glad you stopped by, Cattie, and enjoyed the frog post. Thanks so much for your warm comments.
I’ll listen to the song also.
What a beautiful one! I thought at first it was a nudibranch! 🙂
And I now know what a nudibranch is, thanks to you, Indah. Thanks so much for your visit~~
Such a beautiful little creature! And an informative post, Jet. I have to say I never spotted one in my years in Africa so thank you for adding to my knowledge 🙂
I am delighted to share this beauty with you, Helen — thanks so much for your visit today.
The video was great! The frog is adorable. I just love all of the glorious creatures you feature on this blog. Thank you, Jet!
I was so happy to find that great video, Resa, and glad you had a minute to watch it. Seeing the vocal sac and the frog like that must’ve taken them hours and hours to discover and film. Your interest and comment are appreciated.
What a treat to be able to watch the You Tube video and see and hear the frog in action. Thanks for embedding it!
That was such a delight to find this excellent quality video clip. And an honor to share it. Thanks so much, Nan.
What a wonderful little guy — a fancy frog. The lighting is superb, and you caught him at just the right angles. Thanks for sharing. The little frog is a big treat. Mega hugs.
And your comment and visit were a treat, too, Teagan. Thanks so much, I’m glad you enjoyed the reed frog. Wishes to you for continued productive writing~~