Uperodon montanus : Narrow-Mouthed Frog
Recently a group of zoologists rediscovered Uperodon montanus, a frog, which is endemic to the higher altitudes of the Western Ghats.
- Uperodon montanus is also known as Jerdon’s narrow-mouthed frog or Malabar Hill frog
- It is endemic to the Western Ghatsof India.
- The typical habitat in which this frog is found in tree holes in the rainy season is in the moist deciduous forest to evergreen forest.
- This frog is considered a montane species and is restricted to higher altitude ranges of 800-1,700 metres.
- They are distributed from near Wayanad south across the Palghat and the Shencottah gaps to the Agasthyamalai hills.
- Its tadpoles are free-swimming and exotropic, which means they feed on other species.
- Conservation status: IUCN: Near Threatened
