Philippine Flat-headed Frog
Deep within the pristine, fast-flowing mountain streams of Palawan, a master of underwater camouflage is hiding among the submerged rocks. Meet Barbourula busuangensis , more commonly known as the Philippine Flat-headed Frog, the Ghost of the Palawan Rapids. It isn’t just a typical garden frog, it is an evolutionary marvel designed specifically for life in the torrent. This species is the largest frog in Palawan, but finding it can be difficult, especially during the day. As the name suggests, its body is remarkably flat. This low profile allows it to wedge itself under submerged rocks and resist being swept away by powerful river currents. Its dark skin, which is covered in small tubercles (wart-like bumps), effectively becomes invisible when it’s pressed against a wet river stones. Unlike many frogs that split their time between land and water, B. busuangensis is almost entirely aquatic. It even has webbings on both its feet and hands to navigate exp...
