# Vietnamese Mossy Frog (*Theloderma corticale*) The Vietnamese Mossy Frog is a special frog that looks like a little green rock! It loves to hide in the moss and trees of its home, making it hard to spot. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Vietnamese Mossy Frog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Theloderma_corticale_%282%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: TimVickers, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Theloderma_corticale_%282%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Vietnamese Mossy Frog has bumpy, textured skin, a flattened body, and green, brown, and black splotches that mimic moss and lichen. It sports striking large red eyes with black pupils, which visually differentiate it from many other frogs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Rhacophoridae - **Genus:** Theloderma ## Interesting facts - Their skin texture is so effective, it's inspired military camouflage designs! - Their strange croaking sounds are often compared to quacking ducks or even barking dogs! - They 'play dead' when threatened, lying still until danger passes! - Unlike many frogs, they lay their eggs \*above\* water, on rocks or plants! ## Special abilities - **Camouflage Master:** Vietnamese Mossy Frog has super bumpy skin that helps them blend perfectly with moss and rocks. - **Sticky Climber:** Vietnamese Mossy Frog can cling to wet, smooth surfaces because of special toe pads that help them climb. - **Hide-and-Seek Pro:** Vietnamese Mossy Frog has a flattened body that helps them tuck into crevices and disappear from sight. - **Red Eye Vision:** Vietnamese Mossy Frog has large, red eyes that help them see in dim light for nighttime hunting. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 6-8 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 1.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 10-50 - **Metamorphosis:** 90-150 days ## Diet & Feeding These sneaky predators gobble up small insects and other tiny creatures they catch in their forest homes. - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Flies, Moths, Small beetles, Spiders, Other small invertebrates - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Red-necked Keelback (*Rhabdophis subminiatus*) — Eats amphibians near their forest habitats. - **Eaten by:** Brown Hawk-owl (*Ninox scutulata*) — Hunts small animals, including frogs, at night. - **Eats:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus bimaculatus*) — Hunts and consumes crickets as a primary food source. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch frogs in the wild; they need to stay safe in their homes. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Vietnamese Mossy Frog? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Vietnamese Mossy Frog? 6-8 cm ### How much does Vietnamese Mossy Frog weigh? 0.01-0.03 kg ### How long does Vietnamese Mossy Frog live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Vietnamese Mossy Frog move? 1.5 km/h ### What does Vietnamese Mossy Frog eat? These sneaky predators gobble up small insects and other tiny creatures they catch in their forest homes. ### Where is Vietnamese Mossy Frog usually found? Forests ### How does Vietnamese Mossy Frog hunt? Ambush ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Vietnamese Mossy Frog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/vietnamese-mossy-frog)