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AmphibianTerrestrialIntermediate
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Red Rubber Frog
Phrynomantis microps
A distinctive terrestrial frog from West Africa with smooth, rubbery red skin and specialized toxic secretions used to deter predators.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Microhylidae
Subfamily:Phrynomerinae
Genus:Phrynomantis
Species:Phrynomantis microps
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
60 - 80 %
Day temperature
24 - 29 °C
Night temperature
22 - 24 °C
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Phrynomantis microps, commonly known as the Red Rubber Frog or West African Rubber Frog, is native to the humid savannas, open woodlands, and shrublands of West Africa, with populations stretching from Senegal to Cameroon, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast. It inhabits areas near temporary pools and seasonal marshes. During the dry season, it burrows deep into loose soil, decaying logs, termite mounds, or rodent burrows to conserve essential body moisture.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Microhylidae and the genus Phrynomantis, this species is characterized by a lack of teeth and a partially reduced middle ear. The genetics of the genus have evolved to produce highly specialized skin secretions. These secretions contain powerful toxins that are extremely irritating to predators (particularly ants and small mammals). Adults reach a modest size of 4 to 6 centimeters, with females being slightly larger than males.
Behavior and Habits: This is a strictly terrestrial and nocturnal amphibian. Unlike most frogs, it rarely leaps; instead, it walks or runs along the ground using quick, lizard-like movements. It has fossorial habits, spending the daytime buried in the substrate or hidden beneath leaf litter. It has a shy, secretive temperament. Its toxic skin secretions make handling hazardous, and it should only be handled when absolutely necessary.
Morphology: Features a stout, slightly flattened body with a small, narrow head and prominent black eyes. The skin has a unique glossy, rubber-like texture. Its dorsal coloration is a brilliant, warning (aposematic) brick-red or bright orange, which contrasts sharply with its jet-black or dark grey flanks and limbs. The ventral side is light grey or bluish-grey, decorated with small, irregular white speckles.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: A terrarium for a single adult or a pair should measure at least 60x40x40 cm. The substrate is the most critical element and must be soft, damp, and suitable for digging. A mix of organic topsoil, coco coir, and sphagnum moss at least 8-10 cm deep is ideal. Cover the substrate with a thick layer of dried leaf litter (such as oak or Indian almond leaves) and include curved cork bark tubes to provide secure terrestrial hiding spots.
Lighting and Heating: Being a tropical West African species, they require daytime temperatures of 24°C to 27°C on the warm side and around 22°C on the cool side, with a night drop to 20°C allowed. Heating should be provided via a thermostat-regulated under-tank heat mat or cable mounted on the side or back of the enclosure. Lighting should be dim; a low-output (2% or 5%) UVB bulb is recommended to establish a 12-hour day/night cycle.
Humidity and Hydration: Relative humidity must be kept high, between 60% and 80%. Mist the enclosure with dechlorinated water once or twice daily, keeping the substrate damp but never saturated (avoid soggy conditions which lead to bacterial growth). Always provide a very shallow, wide water dish filled with fresh dechlorinated water, ensuring it is shallow enough that the frog can sit in it without risk of drowning.
Feeding and Supplementation: In the wild, they feed heavily on termites and ants. In captivity, they accept small live insects such as appropriately sized crickets, fruit flies (Drosophila), springtails, small roach nymphs, and mini mealworms. Preys must be dusted with a high-quality calcium and vitamin D3 supplement twice a week to prevent Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). Feed adults two to three times weekly.
Compatibility: They are solitary animals. While keeping multiple individuals of the same species is possible in large enclosures with excess hides, it is not recommended for beginners. They must never be housed with other amphibian or reptile species, as their highly toxic skin secretions can easily contaminate the environment and prove fatal to other animals in a confined space.
Health and Common Diseases: Their health is heavily dependent on substrate cleanliness and humidity levels. Poor sanitation in damp environments easily leads to bacterial infections like "red leg" disease or fungal skin conditions (chytridiomycosis). Monitor their skin regularly for any lesions or signs of irritation. Never handle these frogs with bare hands; their toxins can cause severe skin irritation and allergic reactions in humans.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Phrynomantis microps, commonly known as the Red Rubber Frog or West African Rubber Frog, is native to the humid savannas, open woodlands, and shrublands of West Africa, with populations stretching from Senegal to Cameroon, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast. It inhabits areas near temporary pools and seasonal marshes. During the dry season, it burrows deep into loose soil, decaying logs, termite mounds, or rodent burrows to conserve essential body moisture.
Origin
Africa and Madagascar
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 6.2 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Toxicity
- No verified data available
- Life stage
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 6.2 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 6.2 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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