A wonderful consequence of the water wonderland that is the iSimangaliso Wetland Park now, is the incredible numbers of amphibians evident throughout the Park. I’m featuring just a few of them here.
Driving around the Park you cannot escape the calls of the Painted Reed Frogs, though they’re almost impossible to see without stepping out of your vehicle and searching for them (which isn’t allowed, due to the presence of dangerous animals). I was therefore very impressed with myself when I saw this Painted Reed Frog as I was driving by. See how small it is!
While using the facilities at one of the stopping points on the Western Shores of Lake Saint Lucia I noticed this Peeping Tom hiding in a corner. It is a Red Toad and I left him there to amuse the next visitor as well…
Red Toad in an ablution block in the Western Shores section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Platannas seem to have quickly colonized all the newly formed stretches of water in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, but usually quickly dive under water at the slightest disturbance. It was pleasing to find one that wasn’t too shy to pose for a few photo’s.
It would be better if it cultivated a more apprehensive disposition though, because Platannas are on the menu of many waterbirds and in the 10 days I spent in iSimangaliso on this latest trip I saw many a Platanna disappearing down a gullet.
Reed Cormorant with a Platanna
After dark, hundreds of immature African Bull Frogs emerged onto the roads, especially following rainy days.
Immature African Bull Frog on a road in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Kumasinga Hide at uMkhuze Game Reserve has turned into a paradise for Southern Foam Nest Frogs, with dozens of the cute little creatures clinging to the hide’s framework, with a few foam nests already constructed over the water and a few still in the making (allowing me to make a video of the process).
Remember that DeWetsWild will gladly assist you with reservations and guided tours of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park if you’d like to visit this wonderful place as well.
DeWetsWild 
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Frogs are very special! Great post!
Glad to hear from another frog-fan! Thank you so much!
Love this post, Dries, frogs are favourites since childhood. Also positive that you post on the positivity with all the raining. Love those toes…
Very kind of you, Ann-Christine, and nice to hear from another person who loves frogs!
Nog nie ‘n platanna en ook nie ‘n brulpadda lewendig gesien nie. Mooi fotos.
Baie dankie, Ineke. Paddas is vir my n fassinerende fasset van ons natuurlewe, so ek soek hulle altyd uit.
Dis goed om so intens in iets belang te stel. Mens leer so baie.
Daai ou paddatjie in jou eerste foto’s is amper net ‘n spikkeltjie – wonderlik dat jy dit raak gesien het (en boonop sulke mooi foto’s kon neem)! Haha, ‘n padda in ‘n badkamer sal my beslis “amuse” 😅.
Ek kan net dink wat sekere mense in ons huishouding se reaksie sou wees sodra haar oe aan die donker in die badkamer gewoond geraak het en sy gesien het wat vir haar sit en loer…
😁 ek sal ook maar moet toe-oog in die badkamer ingaan!
This post is beautifully put together and I have enjoyed seeing these different frogs.
Thank you very much, Anne!
Great eye, Dries! I’m impressed. Not sure what the two in the header photo are up to. The toes of a Foam Nest Frog remind me of Gollum in Lord of the Rings. 🙂 Was it quite loud there? I can’t watch the video right now but it’s great that you’re making them so often.
The sounds of the frogs can be quite loud, Janet – especially between dusk and dawn – but I don’t mind it in the least.
The two Foam Nest Frogs in the header picture are getting ready to mate. The smaller male is holding onto the female for dear life to ensure he is first at the party, as other males will soon try to move in.