A Tiny Frog with a Powerful Croak

Microhyla nepenthicola, also known as the Matang narrow-mouthed frog, is a species of frog found near Mount Serapi in Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Borneo. It is one of the smallest frogs in the world. Males of the species are particularly tiny, being about the size of a pea. They are entirely dependent on the pitcher plant Nepenthes ampullaria wherein their eggs are laid and tadpoles can develop.

This frog species was only described in 2010, when scientists noticed their unique and powerful call. At dusk, the adult males gather in and around the pitcher plants, making a pulsing chorus of distinctive pebbly croaks.

In this recording, in addition to the calls of Microhyla nepenthicola, you can hear the siren-like buzzing of Empress cicadas and various other insects in the background. This track is an excerpt from the nature soundscape album “Rhythm of Kubah” which is available as an mp3 or FLAC download.