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'{{Speciesbox | image = | image_size = | status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = &nbsp;<ref name=iucn/> | taxon = Breviceps macrops | authority = [[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1907 | range_map = Breviceps macrops map-fr.svg }} The '''desert rain frog''', '''''Breviceps macrops''''', is a species of [[frog]] in the family [[Brevicipitidae]].<ref name="ASW">{{cite web | url=http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/?action=names&taxon=Breviceps+macrops | title = Names described as 'Breviceps macrops' | work = [[Amphibian Species of the World]]: an Online Reference. Version 5.6 (9 January 2013) | author = Frost, Darrel R. | year = 2013 | accessdate = 30 November 2013}}</ref> It is found in [[Namibia]] and [[South Africa]]. Its natural [[habitat]] is the narrow strip of sandy shores between the sea and the sand dunes. It is threatened by [[habitat loss]].<ref name=iucn/> ==Description== The desert rain frog is a small penis plump species with bulging eyes, a short snout, short limbs, spade-like feet and webbed toes. On the underside it has a transparent area of skin through which its internal organs can be seen. Its colour is yellowish-brown and it often has sand adhering to its skin.<ref name=AmphibiaWeb>{{cite web |url=http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Breviceps&where-species=macrops |title=''Breviceps macrops'' |author=Castillo, Nery |date=2011-06-23 |publisher=AmphibiaWeb |accessdate=2012-10-20}}</ref> ==Distribution and habitat== The desert rain frog is [[Endemism|endemic]] to a coastal strip of land about {{convert|10|km}} wide in Namibia and South Africa. This area of sand dunes often has sea fog rolling in which supplies some moisture in an otherwise arid region. There is some [[Xerophyte|xerophytic]] vegetation in the area and in the spring, the [[desert]] blooms. The locations in which this frog is found have at least one hundred foggy days per year.<ref name=AmphibiaWeb/> ==Behaviour== The desert rain frog is [[nocturnal]], spending the day in a burrow which it has dug to a depth of {{convert|10|to|20|cm}} where the sand is moist. It emerges on both foggy and clear nights and wanders about over the surface of the dunes. Its footprints are distinctive and are often found around patches of dung where it is presumed to feed on moths, beetles and insect larvae. It digs its way into the sand in the morning and its presence in a locality can be deduced from the little pile of loose sand dislodged by its burrowing activities.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Carruthers, V. C.; Passmore, N. I. |year=1978 |title=A note on ''Breviceps macrops'' Boulenger |journal=Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=13&ndash;15 |doi=10.1080/04416651.1978.9650950 }}</ref> Breeding is by direct development of [[Egg (biology)|eggs]] laid in its burrow and there is no aqueous [[tadpole]] stage.<ref name=iucn>{{cite web |url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/3070/0 |title=''Breviceps macrops'' |author=Minter, L.; Channing, A.; Harrison, J. |date=2004 |work=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |accessdate=2012-10-20}}</ref> ==Status== The desert rain frog is listed as "[[Vulnerable species|Vulnerable]]" in the [[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]]. Its total range is smaller than {{convert|2000|km2}} and is fragmented and the number of individual frogs seems to be decreasing. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by [[Open-pit mining|opencast diamond mining]], road making and increased human settlement.<ref name=iucn/> ==In popular culture== On February 13, 2013 amateur photographer Dean Boshoff captured video of a desert rain frog vocalizing with a series of high&#8209;pitched squeaks, described by the author as the frog's "fearsome war cry"; viewers compared the frog to a [[squeaky toy]]. Boshoff distributed the video under the title 'World's Cutest Frog - Desert Rain Frog'. As of May, 2015, the video has received over 12 million views on YouTube;<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBkWhkAZ9ds</ref> the video was also the subject of a featurette on CNN.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFSKYFBU1to</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} {{Breviceps}} [[Category:Breviceps]] [[Category:Animals described in 1907]] [[Category:Viral videos]]'