Megophrys nasuta, a species of eye-catching Long-nosed Horned Frog found in rainforests from southern Thailand through Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, and Borneo. Although it often grows in lowland rainforests, it can be found in certain higher elevations. It gets its common name from the way its upper eyelids and nose are extended, giving the appearance of horns.
Its unique camouflage patterning, in addition to its peculiar “horns,” makes it incredibly difficult to spot among the leaves on the rainforest floor. This is partly because there is a shortage of adequate stream habitat and effective habitat preservation.
In Singapore, where it is estimated that there may only be 50 to 100 wild animals alive, experts recently warned that without comprehensive habitat protection, the species could soon go extinct. To enhance the population and eventually release animals back into the wild in Singapore, a captive breeding programme for the Long-nosed Horned Frog has been launched at the Singapore Zoo.
Habitat
In Southeast Asia, you can find Malayan horned frogs in regions like Borneo, southern Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Once fully grown, they are entirely terrestrial and inhabit lowland and submontane woods.
Appearance
The Megophryidae family includes the Mealayan Horned Frog, often referred to as the Long-nosed Horned Toad. Their short, pointed nose and long, extended spikes that cross their eyes give them a startling appearance. They have a leaf-like appearance, which makes it easy for them to mix in with the forest floor’s leaf litter. Their underbellies are dark brown with light-colored markings, and their backs range in hue from dark to light brown. The IUCN last rated their conservation status as Least Concern in 2020.
Diet
These creatures that resemble leaves are opportunistic hunters who consume a range of gastropods and insects, including: crickets, cockroaches, locusts, snails, worms and slugs.
Reproduction
In streams, females deposit their eggs beneath rocks, logs, or other objects. They hatch in about a week, and depending on the temperature, the transformation into froglets might take anywhere from 2.5 to 7 months.
Keeping as Pet
Putting up adult Horned frogs can be challenging to catch since females can grow to over 5″ in length and require a lot of area to manoeuvre. For a male/female pair, a breeder size of 40 is sufficient, with larger being even better. Make sure the tank is at least 16 inches tall; any shorter, and your frogs may occasionally bang their “horns” on the top, leaving them with a bald appearance. The 36′′x18′′x18′′ tank from Exo Terra is a nice size for two people and offers excellent cross ventilation.
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