Observations of Arboreality in a Burrowing Frog, the Banded Bullfrog, Kaloula pulchra (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae)

Abstract

Despite being known to exhibit arboreal behaviours, Kaloula pulchra, the banded bullfrog, is generally considered terrestrial in its habits and is well known for burrowing into substrate. Here we report seven observations, between October 2015 and March 2017, which document arboreal behaviors in banded bullfrogs in the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Thailand. Our observations comprise the first record of banded bullfrogs predating invertebrates in an arboreal setting. Our observations of K. pulchra climbing large rain jars and subsequently becoming trapped inside also suggest a cause of death for this species. Additional surveys are needed to determine whether this phenomenon prevails throughout rural Thailand.