Hi there and can anyone help please?

[Paul Rust]

it is infact a yellow bellied reed frog

Reed frogs originate from central and southern Africa, Madagascar, and the Seychelles Islands. The Ivory Coast is out of their range.

[SethD]

Reed frogs originate from central and southern Africa, Madagascar, and the Seychelles Islands. The Ivory Coast is out of their range.

Strike.... "Reed frogs" is a a term usually applied to hyperolius species. The ivory coast is indeed in the range of some hyperolius species. I actually have some reed frogs from ghana which is right next to the ivory coast. Some of the hyperolius group are are found in south africa but they are not found in Madagascar or the Seychelles Islands. Some similar groups like Heterixalus(which is from Madagascar) and Afrixalus are sometimes called "reed frogs" too. That is incorrect usage of the term in my opinion but given that "reed frogs" is a common name I suppose there is no definite right or wrong there.

[Paul Rust]

Strike.... "Reed frogs" is a a term usually applied to hyperolius species. The ivory coast is indeed in the range of some hyperolius species. I actually have some reed frogs from ghana which is right next to the ivory coast. Some of the hyperolius group are are found in south africa but they are not found in Madagascar or the Seychelles Islands. Some similar groups like Heterixalus(which is from Madagascar) and Afrixalus are sometimes called "reed frogs" too. That is incorrect usage of the term in my opinion but given that "reed frogs" is a common name I suppose there is no definite right or wrong there.

Agreed, O.immaculatus is a Hyperoliidae with a very small range that includes the Ivory Coast. It is not refered to as a reed frog. But with the loose usage of the term 'reed frog' I suppose any argument here would be both right and wrong. I think the important matter is to identify it for the OP so he can care for it, regardless of what it's various names might be.

[SethD]

Agreed, O.immaculatus is a Hyperoliidae with a very small range that includes the Ivory Coast. It is not refered to as a reed frog.

I was thinking more along the lines of several different reed frog species, some of which are even found in the trade. For example I know the ghana species of reed I have, Hyperolius fusciventris, also extends into the ivory coast. I am pretty sure there are a number of other reed frog species in the ivory coast as well but don't know which ones of the top of my head, would need to look it up.

[SethD]

Oh, btw, to the OP, as far as the species, saw some a lot like that this spring for sale on kingsnake.com. It reminds me of some specimens of Hyperolius guttulatus I have seen from the Cameroon. That species extends into the ivory coast as well. As has been pointed out many species of reed frogs are highly variable even with a species and can be extremely difficult to identify so that is just a educated guess not a absolute identification.

[Paul Rust]

Oh, btw, to the OP, as far as the species, saw some a lot like that this spring for sale on kingsnake.com. It reminds me of some specimens of Hyperolius guttulatus I have seen from the Cameroon. That species extends into the ivory coast as well. As has been pointed out many species of reed frogs are highly variable even with a species and can be extremely difficult to identify so that is just a educated guess not a absolute identification.

Good point.
And if this is a juvenile we have the problem of changing colors as well.

[Sephiri]

Hello,

Sorry, internets been down. Thank you all for your suggestions, Paul - I had looked at Opisthothylax.immaculatus but information I've read says it has rough/warty skin with 'vertical pupils', my frogs skin is very smooth and the pupils appear to be round, so I'd discounted that species.

I'm trying to get some better pictures of it to help but it's hiding where I can't get at it and don't want to disturb it too much until it's settled, it hasn't eaten yet either.

If it helps it does get much darker at night, almost dark brown with the yellow spots still quite bright, I'll try to get a picture of that too.

Thanks again
Dawny

[Sephiri]

Me again!

Just looked up Hyperolius guttulatus and so far this looks to be the most favourable but I'm not 100% convinced, will do a bit more research on this one when I have the time.

Thanks Seth

Dawny

[Sephiri]

Hello,

I've now added some more photos of the little cutie into my photo album 'Stowaway frog from Ivory Coast' http://www.frogforum.net/members/sep...ory-coast.html Still not great photos but the different angles may help.

Not sure about Hyperolius guttulatus now as that too apparently has vertical pupils.

Thanks
Dawny

[tgampper]

Vertical pupils are a distinguishing feature of the leaf-folding frogs in the genus Afrixalus. One of the problems with frogs in the family Hyperoliidae is that there can be several color morphs within the same species, making positive identification difficult. The pictures in your album show horizontal pupils. My guess would be Hyperolius guttulatus, definitely from the Ivory Coast.

This species has three distinct color morphs.