Ryukyu Kajika Frog

The Ryukyu Kajika frog, Japanese Buerger's frog, or Japanese stream treefrog is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is found in the Ryukyu Islands. Populations from northern Taiwan and the Yaeyama Islands were isolated as a new species in 2020.

Habitat

Buergeria japonica is a common species that occurs in a wide variety of habitats.
It is locally threatened by habitat loss.

Description

Buergeria japonica is a small to medium-sized frog, about snout-vent length in males.

Reproduction

Buergeria japonica normally breed in slow-moving water in ditches and small streams. However, some Taiwanese populations also breed in geothermal hot springs. In this habitat, frogs can breed throughout the year. Another advantage is that high temperature facilitates growth; furthermore, competition may be reduced in this unusual habitat. Tadpoles can tolerate water temperatures up to about, however, few tadpoles enter areas of pools where temperature exceeds.