Tree Frogs

Southeast Asia

True frogs of Ranidae and other related families are found in abundance across Southeast Asia with the largest species distribution. This page will deal with true frogs of the Rana family in Peninsular Malaysia, though some of these species also occur in Singapore, Thailand, Borneo and Indonesia. It is also common notion (though mistaken) that Aborigines (Orang Asli) tip their blow pipe darts with toxic substance secreted by poisonous frogs such as Rana hosii. The Orang Asli actually use the sap from the Ipoh tree, rather than from frogs.

Common characteristics of Rana species include a smooth and moist body, snouts with a sharper edge and strong legs that capatult them over good distances. They tend to be found near bodies of water including streams, rivers, drains and mounds in both rainforest and urban habitat. Their calls vary from species to species, often producing interesting sounds. Some species secrete a toxin from their skin, making them poisonous in nature.