Malabar Gliding Frog: The Sky-Diving Amphibian of India’s Western Ghats

Deep in the forests of India’s Western Ghats, the Malabar gliding frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus) shows one of nature’s most fascinating survival adaptations. Known for its bright green body, gliding ability, and unique foam nest breeding, this tree-dwelling amphibian is an important part of India’s rich biodiversity.

Malabar Gliding Frog: The Sky-Diving Amphibian of India’s Western Ghats

Life in the Canopy

The Malabar gliding frog lives high up in the trees, rarely touching the ground. It uses the webbing between its toes to glide from one branch to another, much like a small parachute.
This gliding skill helps it:

Escape predators
Search for mates
Reach nesting sites safely above ponds and streams

This makes the species perfectly suited for the wet, dense forests of the Western Ghats.

A Unique Foam Nesting Behaviour

When the monsoon season arrives, the frog begins its special breeding process. The female chooses a branch or leaf hanging over a pond, while the male attaches in the amplexus position. Together, they whip up a white foam nest, about three inches wide, where they lay up to 200 eggs.

The foam nest acts as:

A protective layer from predators and sunlight
A moist incubator that keeps eggs from drying out
A suspended nursery safely above the water

From Nest to Water: A Perfect Drop

After hatching, the tadpoles slip out of the foam nest and fall directly into the water below. This clever strategy ensures the young are immediately in a safe aquatic environment where they grow into juvenile frogs, eventually climbing back into the canopy to begin the cycle again.

Ecological Importance

The Malabar gliding frog is not just fascinating—it is also an important environmental indicator. Its survival depends on clean water and healthy forests, making it a sign of ecological stability.
However, threats like deforestation, pollution, and habitat destruction endanger this species. Protecting these frogs helps preserve the Western Ghats’ delicate ecosystem, which is one of India’s most biodiverse regions.

Exam-Oriented Notes

Found in the Western Ghats, India.
Known for gliding with webbed toes.
Builds suspended foam nests above water.
Each nest holds up to 200 eggs.
Tadpoles drop into water after hatching.
Indicates ecosystem health and clean water availability.

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Question & Answer

Q1. The Malabar gliding frog is mainly found in which region of India?
(a) Eastern Ghats
(b) Himalayas
(c) Western Ghats
(d) Nilgiri Plains
Answer: Western Ghats

Q2. What unique feature helps the Malabar gliding frog move between trees?
(a) Strong legs
(b) Sticky pads
(c) Webbed toes used for gliding
(d) Long tongue
Answer: Webbed toes used for gliding

Q3. Where does the Malabar gliding frog build its foam nest?
(a) On the forest floor
(b) On rocks beside rivers
(c) On branches overhanging ponds or streams
(d) Inside tree holes
Answer: On branches overhanging ponds or streams

Q4. How does the foam nest protect frog eggs?
(a) Keeps them warm
(b) Hides them from predators and prevents drying
(c) Allows air to pass through
(d) Provides light for faster growth
Answer: Hides them from predators and prevents drying

Q5. Why is the Malabar gliding frog considered an indicator species?
(a) It changes colour with seasons
(b) It survives only in clean water and healthy forests
(c) It migrates long distances
(d) It eats only rare insects
Answer: It survives only in clean water and healthy forests

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