mouth-breeding frog

The mouth-breeding frog, scientifically known as Rhinoderma darwinii, is a unique amphibian found in southern South America. Unlike most frogs that lay eggs in water, this species exhibits remarkable parental care. The male frog collects fertilized eggs with his tongue and stores them in his vocal sac, where they hatch and develop. The tadpoles complete their metamorphosis within the male's vocal sac, eventually emerging from his mouth as fully formed young frogs. This behavior is an unusual example of tadpole care, demonstrating a significant departure from typical aquatic breeding habits.1