Shovels for feet and blotting paper skin: the ‘little fat froggy’ facing a fight for survival
The desert rain frog, native to a small coastal region in Africa, has been classified as vulnerable on the IUCN red list due to habitat loss from mining. Conservationists are also concerned that the species is being targeted by the pet trade following its viral popularity on social media.
Why it matters
The situation highlights the dual threats of industrial environmental destruction and the unintended consequences of social media fame on endangered wildlife.
1:09 The desert rain frog has been classified as vulnerable on the IUCN red list – video The age of extinction Amphibians Shovels for feet and blotting paper skin: the ‘little fat froggy’ facing a fight for survival The desert rain frog, native to a narrow coastal strip of south-west Africa, has been classified as vulnerable on the IUCN red list, as its habitat is threatened by mining
About this content Rebecca Ratcliffe Fri 10 Jul 2026 05.00 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google T he desert rain frog is one of the most unusual amphibians on the planet. With a rotund body and stumpy legs that dig rather than jump, it has evolved to survive not in wetlands or rainforests, but in the unforgiving dunes of the southern African desert.
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