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Amphibians of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AMPHIBIA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Amphibians (Class Amphibia)

-Frogs and Toads (Order Anura)

-Narrowmouth Toads (Family Microhylidae)

-American Narrow-mouthed and Sheep Frogs (Subfamily Gastrophryninae)

-Sheep Frogs (Genus Hypopachus)

-Northern Sheep Frog (Hypopachus variolosus)


Hypopachus variolosus, commonly known as the Sheep Frog or Mexican Burrowing Toad, is a small, burrowing frog species found in parts of Central America, Mexico, and the southern United States. The sheep frog gets its name from the sheep-like sound of its call. The sheep frog is relatively small, usually growing between 3 to 5 cm (about 1.2 to 2 inches) in length. It prefers lowland habitats, particularly areas near temporary water bodies like marshes, ponds, or ditches. Its diet primarily consists of small invertebrates, such as ants, termites, and other small insects, which it catches using its specialized narrow mouth and sticky tongue. This frog is known for having a specialized diet focused on ants and termites.


The Northern Sheep Frog (Hypopachus variolosus) is the the only species of Sheep Frog (Genus Hypopachus) documented in the Zihuatanejo area.

Sheep Frog
(Hypopachus variolosus)

Diet

  • Primarily ants and termites, making it a dietary specialist among frogs.

  • Also feeds on small beetles, mites, spiders, and other tiny ground-dwelling arthropods when available.

  • Forages mainly at night, using its sticky tongue to capture prey on the ground.

Range

  • Found from southern Texas through Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

  • In Mexico, it is widespread along both the Pacific and Gulf slopes, including the Zihuatanejo region of Guerrero.

  • Occurs from sea level to approximately 2,100 m elevation.

Habitat

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, thorn scrub, savannas, open woodland, grasslands, pastureland, and forest edges.

  • Also occurs in disturbed habitats such as agricultural fields, irrigation ditches, rural gardens, and seasonally flooded areas.

  • A fossorial (burrowing) species that spends most of the year underground, emerging mainly on warm, humid nights after heavy rains to feed and breed in temporary pools.

Size

  • Male: 2.5–3.3 cm (1.0–1.3 in)

  • Female: 3.3–4.0 cm (1.3–1.6 in)

  • Weight: 4–10 g

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