Cyan Five-fingered Frog

Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, commonly known as the Indian skipper frog or skittering frog, is a prevalent species in South Asia. These amphibians are frequently found at the peripheries of water bodies, with just their eyes visible above the surface. True to their name, they swiftly skitter away from the shore at the slightest hint of danger. Predominantly aquatic, they are seldom seen out of the water.

First described by George Albert Boulenger, these frogs boast some intriguing features. They possess slender fingers, webbed toes, and distinctive color patterns. Remarkably, they have the ability to leap out of the water while floating. Another interesting trait is that their age can be determined by examining the annual growth rings in their phalanx bones.

Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis is distributed throughout South Asia and parts of Southeast Asia, including countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. There are several recognized subspecies, and some are so similar that they are classified as cryptic species. However, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), their distribution does not extend east of India and Bangladesh.