This flying frog is about 90-100 mm in total length, with distinct large eyes. The tympanum is prominent, at 1/2 to 2/3 of the eye diameter. Snout is rounded and is not projected outward. Head is as broad as it is long, sometimes slightly broader. Finger tips are expanded into large, oval discs with third finger wider than tympanum (Berry 1975). Hands and feet are fully webbed. Toes discs are smaller than finger discs. There is an oval inner metatarsal tubercle present while the outer metatarsal tubercle is absent. No supratympanic fold is present (Berry 1975).
Skin is smooth or finely granulated above, coarsely granulated below except smooth on the throat. A broad flap of skin on outer edge of forearm and tarsus, and another is at the heel and above the vent. A narrow flap on the inner edge of the arm is present (Berry 1975).
Body color is shiny green with minute white markings and a couple large white patches on the thighs. The flanks, the inside of the thighs,and the undersurfaces of the body are yellow. The interdigital membranes are jet black at the base. These membranes are yellow and veined with black towards the border. The upper surfaces of toes on to four are yellow. Ventral surface of the head and body is whitish (Berry 1975).
Distribution and Habitat
Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand
Malaysian region distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Sabah, Sarawak
Habitat ranges from trees, bushes, palms, etc. in primary rain forests and logged rain forests. Can be found at elevations ranging from 700 to 1800 feet (Berry 1975).
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
Reproduction: Female produces fluid and converts it into a foam nest by the beating action of her hind legs. She then lays her eggs into the foam nest and at that time the male fertilizes these eggs. The nest is made on branches or leaves above the water. When the embryos inside the eggs have developed into tadpoles, the nest deteriorates and the larvae drop into the water. Larvae live in the water until metamorphosis is completed (Richter & Jacob 1988).
For photos of Rhacophorus nigropalmatus adults and another species
account, see www.frogsofborneo.org.
Berry, P. Y. (1975). The Amphibian Fauna of Peninsular Malaysia. Tropical Press, Kuala Lumpur.
Jurgen, F., Richter, C., and Jacob, U. (1988). Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Terrarium. TFH Publications, Neptune, N.J.
Written by Sunny Shah and Rachna Tiwari (sunnys AT uclink.berkeley.edu), AmphibiaWeb
First submitted 2001-11-29
Edited by Tate Tunstall (2003-04-12)
Citation: AmphibiaWeb: Information on
amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. 2013. Berkeley, California:
(Accessed: May 23, 2013).
AmphibiaWeb's policy on data use.