Cliff
Chirping Frog
Syrrophus
marnocki
| Description: These are
small common frogs that live in rock crevices most of their lives.
They are usually smaller than 1 1/2" in total length, have a
greenish-yellow dorsal color with scattered black spots, large eyes, and
unwebbed feet. Their called are usually a single high-pitched
chirp similar to that made by a cricket. They are often
parasitized by small red mites which bury themselves in their skin.
They do not come to water to breed, laying eggs that develop directly
into small froglets. Their entire lives are spent in rock
crevices, except on rainy nights when they come out to feed and move
from crevice to crevice. Habitat: This species occurs primarily in rocky limestone canyons. |
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| Distribution:
This species occurs throughout the Texas Hill Country, from San Antonio
and Austin westward to the vicinity of Sanderson. It is found
throughout the Nueces Canyon in rocky areas. Abundance: fairly common in our area but rarely seen Conservation Status: common where they occur and their status is secure. Comments: For such a common frog, most people that live in the area are unfamiliar with it. Taxonomically, this frog has recently been shifted from genus to genus, starting in Syrrophus, then moved to the genus Eleutherodactylus, and currently recognized again as a member of the genus Syrrophus. |
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