Kanga warty frog

The Kanga warty frog (Callulina kanga) is a beautiful minute frog in the Rungwe Mountains range (John, 2024). It’s also known as the Kanga warty frog due to its rough, bumpy skin, which is an adaptation for camouflage.

The Kanga warty frog belongs to the family Brevicipitidae and is only found in the Kanga Forest Reserve within the Rungwe Mountains in Tanzania. It’s small and has a spine.

Classification

Population

The population of this warty frog is unknown. There is limited information on its population size, distribution, and conservation initiatives. However, its minute population is only found in the Kanga Forest Reserve. And it’s the reason why we at Green Horizon Foundation strive to protect the natural habitat of this frog.

Habitat

The Kanga warty frog prefers mountainous regions, usually at 760 meters above sea level. It’s arboreal. Its preferred habitat is on tree branches, especially above head height. They can occasionally be found at the bases of trees. According to John (2024), Kanga warty frogs are restricted to just 10 square kilometers in the Kanga Forest Reserve in Morogoro, Tanzania.

Threats

The Kanga warty frog is constantly losing its natural habitat, with the main cause being human activities. The community around the Kanga Forest cut down trees for timber. They are also pushing against the reserve to get fertile soil for agriculture. Given its limited range in the Kanga Forest Reserve, this frog is susceptible to extinction when human activities reach their habitat.

Conservational status

The IUCN identifies the Kanga warty frog as critically endangered. Currently, less information is available about the population, specific threats, and preservation steps. Steps to check and verify the stats are required.

The future of Kanga warty and Nguru pygmy chameleon depends on our actions or inaction. What we do in the Nguru Mountains can impact their existence. Education on the significance of these species is compulsory at all levels.