Indian Bullfrog Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Daudin, 1803) of Ousteri Lake, Puducherry

摘要

The Indian Bullfrog Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Daudin, 1803) is the largest frog in India, which grows up to 15 cm in length. They are found in various colours ranging from yellow to olive green, with dark irregular markings. They have a pointed snout and long hind limbs. Their toes are nearly entirely webbed. The Indian Bullfrog is a lone forager and nocturnal (http://www.theanimalfiles.com/ amphibians/frogs/indian_bullfrog.html). The frogs are mainly aquatic, inhabiting mostly freshwater wetlands, both natural and artificial (especially paddy fields and casuarinas fields). They are absent or uncommon in forested areas and coastal regions1. Their diet includes invertebrates, small mammals and birds. Breeding takes place during the monsoon season, when adults congregate at ephemeral rainwater pools. They produce a large number of eggs, but the mortality rates among tadpoles, froglets and adult frogs are high.