Romer’s Tree Frog My name is Mr. Frog. What do u know about me? By Gail, Isabella, Yami and Natalie

Profile of Romer’s Tree Frog Scientific name: Philautus romeri Chinese name: 盧文氏樹蛙 Introduction: One of the three endangered amphibians in Hong Kong History: In 1952, Romer's Tree Frog was first discovered in a cave on Lamma Island by J. D. Romer, an amateur herpetologist and so it was named after him. That population disappeared in 1953 due to the collapse of the cave. Although once thought to be extinct, Romer's Tree Frog was re- discovered on Lamma Island in 1984.

Feature: All digits of the frog have small suction discs, which can allow the frog to suck on. Its body is tan brown above, with an "X-like" and a “/ \-like” marking on the back. Size: Male around 1.5~2cm ; female around 2.5 cm It is also the smallest amphibians found in Hong Kong Food: Mainly insects and spiders Activity Time: At sunset or night time Placed found: Hong Kong (especially on Lantau Island, Chek Lap Kok & Po Toi Island) Habitat: Live in forests with high humidity

Self-protecting method: with camouflage Optimum temperature: 22 – 26 o C (sunny) 18 – 20 o C (cloudy) Optimum humidity: 80-95% Ecological characteristics: love living in clean fresh water stream Life Expectancy: 4~5 years Personality: mild and timid Am I handsome?

Self-defence: Philautus romeri has protective colour which changes depending on the darkness of dry leaves around it, and it is its only way to escape from enemy's' attacks. Reproduction: They mate from March to August every year. After fusion the female lay around 70~100 eggs to water.A few days later tadpoles of only 1 mm long are born. The tadpoles need around 4 ~ 6 weeks to grow up. During this period they eat rotten dry leaves for life, yet only one in million can survive and become adult Philautus romeri.

Cological Interest : Romer's Tree Frog is endemic to Hong Kong and has only been recorded from some locations, namely Lantau, Lamma, Po Toi and previously in Chek Lap Kok. Its habitat is usually well-wooded areas near a small stream or other water source suitable for breeding. As the frog usually lives on ground or inside fallen leaves, its body colour and marking on the back can therefore match with its surrounding environment and provide camouflage effect for the frog.

Conservation Programme: Over 200 individuals of the Romer's Tree Frog were rescued from the Chek Lap Kok before construction of the new Hong Kong airport there. Some 2,000 captive populations of the frogs and tadpoles were released to several sites in the territory. Monitoring of the sites has shown that the releases have generally been successful as breeding activities have been observed in most of the sites. You know I am a endangered species ? Mr. Frog

Species & Habitat Protection: In view of uniqueness of Romer's Tree Frog, a site that supports the largest population of the frog - part of Ngong Ping in Lantau, has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in May The SSSI has been included in the Ngong Ping Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan. Development within the site is subject to statutory planning control. All trading and petting of Philautus romeri are forbiddened Oh……. Help me please!

Some other Romer's Tree Frog sites also fall within existing or potential conservation areas, which can serve additional protection on the population of the frog in Hong Kong. source: #frog

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