Description
A very large Hyperolius (up to 43 mm) from South Africa. Dorsum plain, cream to brown, sometimes with small black spots. A distinctive pale dorsolateral line runs from the snout posteriorly along the flanks, bordered ventrally by a dark brown lateral band. A fine dark line usually separates the pale line from the brown band. Concealed surfaces of limbs, webbing and discs orange to red. Ventrum creamy white, slightly granular, gular flap in males bright ochre. Pupil horizontal.

Tadpoles reach 40 mm. They are brown with longitudinal darker bands on the tail. Tooth formula is 1/3.

Distribution and Habitat

Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: South Africa

	View distribution map in BerkeleyMapper.
	View Bd and Bsal data (1 records).

Occurring in southernmost South Africa.

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
Males call from elevated positions on sedges, arums or shrubs near water. The voice is a harsh, nasal bleat. About one call every two seconds.

Breeding takes place from early spring till summer. The eggs are attached to roots of water plants below water level and are white with a brown pole.

Comments
This account was taken from "Treefrogs of Africa" by Arne Schiøtz with kind permission from Edition Chimaira publishers, Frankfurt am Main.

References

Schiøtz, A. (1999). Treefrogs of Africa. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main.

Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2008 Hyperolius horstockii: Horstock's Reed Frog <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/535> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Nov 29, 2024.

Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 29 Nov 2024.

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