Rain Frog

Welcome to Frog of the Month: Rain Frog Edition!

May 2025

This time, we’re highlighting a frog that’s equal parts adorable, grumpy, and incredibly meme-worthy: the rain frog. These tiny, round amphibians may not look like much at first glance, but they’ve captured hearts (and laughs) around the world with their signature squeaks and permanently disgruntled expressions.

The rain frog (genus Breviceps) is native to southern Africa and is known for its short limbs, stout body, and tendency to puff up like a balloon when disturbed. But don’t let their potato-like appearance fool you—they're built for a unique underground lifestyle that’s as fascinating as it is funny.

Habitat

Rain frogs are found throughout the sandy coastal regions and scrublands of South Africa and Namibia. Unlike most frogs, they don’t hang out near ponds or streams. Instead, they prefer burrowing into soft soil and only come out when the rain hits. Their name comes from this rainy emergence behavior, which coincides with breeding and feeding.

Features and Fun Facts

Burrowing Lifestyle: These frogs are expert diggers—but not in the usual way. While many frogs dig forward, rain frogs dig backward into the ground using their powerful hind legs. This helps them create moist burrows where they stay hidden from predators and harsh weather.

Squeaky Defense: When threatened, rain frogs puff up their bodies and emit a high-pitched squeak that sounds more like a dog toy than a frog. This behavior, while hilarious, is surprisingly effective at startling predators and warning others to stay away.

Grumpy Appearance: With their squished faces, stubby legs, and round bodies, rain frogs constantly look like they’re having a bad day. This iconic look has made them a favorite on social media platforms, often paired with captions about moodiness or introversion.

Direct Development: Unlike most frogs, rain frogs skip the tadpole stage entirely. Their eggs are laid in moist burrows and hatch into fully formed mini-frogs, ready to burrow on their own. This adaptation means they don't rely on water sources to complete their life cycle.

Conservation Status

While some species of rain frog are listed as stable, others are threatened by habitat loss and human development. Because they live underground and are often hard to find, it's difficult to get a full picture of their population health. As with many amphibians, preserving their habitats is key to ensuring their continued survival.