Arum Frog

Arum Frogs spend time sheltering and hiding in Arum Lily’s? They are not dependant on them, as they breed in wetlands rather than in the Arum Lily’s themselves. Arum lily frogs, also known as the Horstock’s arum-frog or Horstock’s reed frog, are a species of frog belonging to the Hyperoliidae family. They are called Arum Lily Frogs because they are often found hiding at the bottom of the Arum lilies. Arum lilies are unique tubular flowers with large leaves and large beautiful white flowers which usually bloom in early spring to summer. These flowers grow in wetlands, along rivers, streams, creeks, and seasonally wet areas, making them the perfect hiding spot for the frogs.

The Arum lily frogs have very pale colors which camouflage them in the white flowers. Their ability to camouflage makes them virtually invisible to predators and to their insect preys. Adult Arum lily frogs can grow up to 40 mm in length. They have a dark stripe running down their sides. The frogs also have bright orange, sticky-looking webbed feet which they usually hide under their bodies. Although these frogs frequently use the Arum lily flowers for shelter, they are not dependent on them. These frogs breed in wetlands and not in the Arum lilies. Their breeding season is during spring and summer.

The Arum lily frogs are endemic to South Africa. They are only found in the Western Cape and a small area in the Eastern Cape. Like most amphibians, their natural habitats are places near water such as rivers, swamps, lakes, marshes, and ponds.