Common Name: Java Gliding Frog
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Scientific Name: Rhacophorus prominanus
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Family: Rhacophoridae
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Classification: Amphibia (Anura)
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Toxicity Level: Non-Toxic
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Origin: Southeast Asia (Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra)
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Adult Size: 5 – 7 cm (2.0 – 2.8 inches)
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Lifespan: 4 – 6 years
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Diet: Insectivore (Moths, houseflies, crickets, roaches)
The Java Gliding Frog, also frequently known as the Malayan Flying Frog, is a beautiful arboreal species adapted for life in the canopy. At rest, they appear quite cryptic with a textured skin ranging from dull green to greyish-brown, allowing them to blend into tree bark and lichen. However, their defining feature is the extensive, brightly colored webbing between their toes—usually a vivid red or orange. When threatened or leaping, they spread their limbs wide to glide, revealing these flashing colors to startle predators.
Notes: This species requires a vertical terrarium setup with plenty of branches, vines, and broad-leafed plants to mimic a high-canopy environment. They are strictly nocturnal; during the day, they will tuck their limbs tightly against their bodies and sleep on the underside of leaves or on glass walls to conserve moisture, only becoming active at night to hunt.
Why Source This Species:
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Unique Gliding Adaptation: The evolutionary adaptation of large webbed feet for gliding makes them a fascinating educational species and a topic of conversation for any collection.
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Flash Coloration: The dramatic contrast between their drab resting color and the explosion of red/orange webbing when they move offers a visually rewarding experience for keepers.
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Vertical Display: As a tree frog, they utilize the upper regions of a vivarium, making them perfect for filling the "empty space" in tall, planted tanks where ground-dwelling species wouldn't go.
