Tomopterna natalensis
A small frog, only about 4cm long, with variable colouration, the Natal Sand Frog occurs in grasslands and savanna habitats, where they usually breed in shallow water – standing or flowing – soon after the first rains of the season. The tadpoles grow exceptionally quickly, completing their metamorphosis in just two to three weeks! They hibernate underground in sandy soils, and dig themselves into the ground backwards with their hind legs.
In South Africa the Natal Sand Frog is distributed from the Eastern Cape through Kwazulu-Natal and into Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo. They’re also found in Mozambique and Eswatini (Swaziland) and is considered to be of least concern.
Natal Sand Frogs
Natal Sand Frog
Natal Sand Frog
Natal Sand Frog
Natal Sand Frogs
Natal Sand Frog
Natal Sand Frog
DeWetsWild 
What an interesting little frog. It seems there is a grayish form as well as the reddish form.
If we didn’t see the various forms fraternizing with each other I would’ve thought they’re different kinds!
Absolutely!
I always enjoy your frog pictures.
Thank you very much, Anne!
Dis die padda wat ek ook ken. Nog nie regtig paddas hier teengekom nie. Moet byvoeg ek gaan nie sommer rivier toe of waar daar water is nie.
Op n reenerige aand gedurende ons onlangse besoek aan Doornkop was hierdie outjies baie aktief langs die watervoortjies wat die verskillende hengeldamme verbind.
En die gekwaak is deel van die natuur en buitelewe is dit nie?
Vir my so mooi soos musiek!
Netso. Jare terug het ek geleentheid gehad om Port Elizabeth te besoek. Daar was toe n , ek dink, Happy valley waar mens saans kon loop en luister na die gekwaak van baie verskillende paddas. Daar was ook beligting sodat jy kon kyk hoe die outjies daardie keeltjies opblaas en kwaak.
Wat n wonderlike idee!