Arum frog

The Arum Frog, also known as Horstock's Arum-Frog, Arum Lily Frog, or Horstock's Reed Frog, is a delightful amphibian native to South Africa. Belonging to the Hyperoliidae family, these frogs can reach up to 40 mm in length. They are characterized by their bright orange feet and their remarkable ability to change color for camouflage, sporting a cream to brown body adorned with unique markings. Their tadpoles are brown with darker bands on their tails.

These frogs inhabit the southern coastal plains of South Africa, ranging from Cape Town in the Western Cape to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. They thrive in various aquatic environments such as rivers, swamps, lakes, marshes, and ponds, and prefer areas with Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation. Arum frogs are often found nestled in arum lilies, lying in wait to catch pollinating insects.

Classified as "Least Concern" some populations of arum frogs nevertheless face threats from habitat loss due to invasive vegetation and fires. Contrary to popular belief, these frogs are not endangered by the collection and sale of arum lilies.

Arum frogs exhibit some fascinating behaviors. They can blend seamlessly into arum lily flowers by changing their color, rendering them nearly invisible to both predators and prey. They breed in water bodies with emergent vegetation, with males calling out at night from elevated positions above the water. The breeding season typically runs from September to January, during which females lay clutches of 10-30 eggs attached to submerged plants.