The Günther's frog

A Günther’s frog is seen in Baguang, a coastal area in east Shenzhen. Photos by Isaac Cohen

The Günther's frog

The Günther’s frog (Sylvirana guentheri) is an intriguing frog species found in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and southern China, including our illustrious city of Shenzhen.

贡德氏赤蛙（也称沼蛙）原产于东亚及东南亚地区，常见于泰国、柬埔寨、老挝、越南及中国华南地区，是深圳的本土蛙类。

This amphibian belongs to the Ranidae family, also known as the true frogs. It has a medium-sized body, measuring approximately 8 centimeters in length. The dorsal surface of this frog exhibits a light brown coloration, highlighted by a distinct folding on each side of its upper body. These foldings feature a darker brown color with prominent dark spots. While the lower parts of its body tend to be lighter in color, ranging from white to various shades, there can be considerable variations. One notable feature is its large tympanic membrane with a white margin, making it easily distinguishable from other frogs found in Shenzhen.

本物种属无尾目真蛙科，体长中等，约8厘米，背部浅棕色，背侧具对称的褶皱，为深棕色，缀显眼的黑色细斑。躯干下部颜色较浅，大致为白色，缀有云斑，斑点颜色有个体差异。膨大具白色边缘的鼓膜是本物种的重要辨识依据之一。

A Günther’s frog is seen in Bijia Hill Park in Futian District.

The primary habitat of the Günther’s Frog consists of forested areas, including both lowland and upland forests. However, it has also adapted to survive in agricultural areas and even some city parks, such as Bijia Mountain and Honghu Park.

本物种常见于不同海拔的阔叶林地区，随着人类活动的扩张，它们也逐渐习惯了农田、市政公园等生境。在深圳的笔架山和洪湖公园中都能发现它们的踪迹。

Being a carnivorous species, this fantastic frog sustains itself by consuming a variety of invertebrates, including insects, spiders, and snails. Additionally, it has been observed to prey upon small vertebrates like tadpoles and other frogs.

贡德氏赤蛙属肉食动物，以昆虫、蜘蛛、蜗牛等无脊椎动物为食，有时也吃蝌蚪甚至其他蛙类。

A Günther’s frog is seen among leaf litter in Lianhua Hill Park in Futian District.

Reproduction takes place in streams and other water bodies. The male attracts a mate by producing a series of calls, while the female lays her eggs in a gelatinous mass attached to vegetation or rocks within the water. These eggs eventually hatch into tadpoles, which undergo metamorphosis and develop into juvenile frogs within a few months.

贡德氏赤蛙在小溪等静止水体繁殖。雄性发出响亮的鸣叫吸引雌性抱对，交配后，雌性在水岸边寻找合适位置产卵。产下的卵包裹在黏稠的泡沫状卵鞘中，能够牢牢吸附在植物的根茎或者岩石的表面上。卵孵化为蝌蚪在水中生活数月后，方初具蛙形。

The Günther’s Frog plays a vital role in the ecosystem as a predator of invertebrates and small vertebrates. Moreover, it holds significance as an indicator species. The presence of these frogs serves as a reliable indicator of a clean and thriving ecosystem in our city.

贡德氏赤蛙以无脊椎动物和小型脊椎动物为食，是生态系统中重要的捕食者。同时，因为蛙类对栖息地的水体和环境质量要求很高，它们也是重要的环境指示物种。