Four-lined Tree frog
Polypedates leucomystax

Polypedates
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Suborder: Neobatrachia
Family: Rhacophoridae
Subfamily: Rhacophorinae
Genus: Polypedates
Species: Polypedates leucomystax

Description: A small to medium-sized frog with a slender body and long slender hand limbs. The sides of the snout are sharp, but the tip is not. The skin is smooth except for a curved fold over the eardrum. These frogs vary from light beige to dark tan on the head, back and legs. Most individuals have four dark narrow stripes running down the back, while the rest have scattered brown spots.
Males: 37 - 50 mm
Females: 57 - 75 mm

Tadpoles: The body is slightly flattened above; the colour light buff or brown with irregular markings. Total lengths reach 50 mm. Unlike most tadpoles form Borneo, their eyes are on the side of the head rather than the top.

Habits and habitat: This is a frog of disturbed habitats, found everyway, including the inside of houses but rarely entering primary forest. Males form calling groups around any standing water. We have even seen pairs mating at the edge of small, water filled road ruts. Adults eat a variety of insects and other vertebrates.

Call: A low pitched nasal quack.

Distribution: Occurs throughout Borneo in disturbed environments as high as 750 meters above sea level. This species is widely distributed in southern Asia

Common Name: Tree Frog - Four Lined

Other Common Names: Gold Common Tree Frog, Malaysian Tree Frog, Bamboo Tree Frog

Scientific Name: Rhacophorus leucomystax (Full Taxonomy)

Group:

Origin or Range: Malaysia

Relative Size: Smaller Than Average
(as compared to other frogs)

Animal Description:
_The Four Lined Tree Frog is a common sight throughout much of Asia; in fact, some people call it the Common Tree Frog. In appearance, these little amphibians are not common by any means - they are beautifully colored and gracefully shaped.

_Four Lined Tree Frogs are often found near human-made structures, which they seem to prefer over more isolated habitats. They are usually found in disturbed types of forest, where they live in the trees. Sometimes, they can be found on the ground in puddles or water filled ditches or in low greenery near freshwater. Hunting at night, Four Lined Tree Frogs feed on invertebrates like insects. Four Lined Tree Frogs' calls consist of a single repeated note.

_Most female Four Lined Tree Frogs grow to 7.5 centimeters, while males are around 5 centimeters. These tree frogs are usually a grayish green color, although some range from a coppery brown to a yellow gold color. Usually, four dark brown lines run down the back of the Four Lined Tree Frog, although in some areas, the lines are absent. The undersides are lighter in color, usually light gray or white. The Four Lined Tree Frog can actually change color to become better camouflaged, often lightening or darkening its shade between day and night. These frogs have discs on the bottoms of their feet to help them in climbing vegetation.

_Found commonly throughout Southeast Asia, the Four Lined Tree Frog may surprise residents by being discovered near a kitchen or bathroom sink. Their range stretches from Malaysia to Singapore. Due to the coloration of some specimens, the Four Lined Tree Frog may also be called the Gold Tree Frog.

Redactie: info(at)rijskamp.com                           
Cagayan de Oro July 3, 2007

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