Wildlifeof Sri Lanka
Hanken's Shrub Frog
Shrub Frogs & Tree Frogs
Photo: Achintha de Zoysa · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Pseudophilautus hankeni
Basic stats
Habitat
Montane forest, primary and regrowth, and open disturbed areas; shrubs 1-2m up
Range
Knuckles Mountain Range, above about 1,200m
Size
Male 19.2mm, female about 20.0mm snout-vent
Hanken's shrub frog is endemic to the Knuckles Mountain Range and has been recorded at 1,200 m and higher. The male measured 19.2 mm and the female about 20.0 mm from snout to vent. The back is cream-white with light brown marks, a dark brown line between the eyes with two dots behind it, and two light brown bands down the body, with lighter flanks with some olive green. It develops directly, hatching as small froglets (Wikipedia, general species account).
It has been seen perched in shrubs 1 to 2 m up, in primary forest, regrown secondary forest and disturbed open areas. P. dilmah, found in 2015, was described as its sister taxon, though a 2021 study found them the same species. It is named after Jim Hanken of Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology. Nationally Critically Endangered (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Hanken's Shrub Frog live in?
- Montane forest, primary and regrowth, and open disturbed areas; shrubs 1-2m up
- Where is the Hanken's Shrub Frog found?
- Knuckles Mountain Range, above about 1,200m
- How big is the Hanken's Shrub Frog?
- Male 19.2mm, female about 20.0mm snout-vent