Boreal digging frog
Encyclopedia
The Boreal digging frog, Kaloula borealis, is a species of microhylid, or "narrow-mouthed," frog found in Northeast Asia
. Its range covers much of central and northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula
, and Jeju Island. Adult boreal digging frogs are roughly 4.5 centimeters in length, round in shape with toad-like speckled skin.
The boreal digging frog is common across much of its range, but is considered endangered in South Korea
. It inhabits cultivated fields, including rice paddies, and is often found in close proximity to humanity, at altitudes of 10 to 900 meters.
Boreal digging frogs breed during the annual rainy season
, around June and July. After the rainy season is over they dig burrows underground, emerging only at night to feed. The eggs are laid in batches of 15-20 in monsoonal pools, with the tadpoles maturing within 30 days, much faster than most other frogs in this area.
Northeast Asia
Northeast Asia and Northeastern Asia refers to the northeastern subregion of Asia. Though the precise definition of Northeast Asia changes according to context, it always includes Japan and the Korean Peninsula, and is sometimes used to refer to these two regions exclusively.-Definitions:The...
. Its range covers much of central and northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula
Korean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
, and Jeju Island. Adult boreal digging frogs are roughly 4.5 centimeters in length, round in shape with toad-like speckled skin.
The boreal digging frog is common across much of its range, but is considered endangered in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. It inhabits cultivated fields, including rice paddies, and is often found in close proximity to humanity, at altitudes of 10 to 900 meters.
Boreal digging frogs breed during the annual rainy season
East Asian monsoon
The East Asian monsoon is a monsoonal flow that carries moist air from the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean to East Asia. It affects approximately one-third of the global population, influencing the climate of Japan , the Koreas, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and much of mainland China...
, around June and July. After the rainy season is over they dig burrows underground, emerging only at night to feed. The eggs are laid in batches of 15-20 in monsoonal pools, with the tadpoles maturing within 30 days, much faster than most other frogs in this area.