Common Rain Frog [The Grumpiest Frog You’ll Ever See]

The Common Rain Frog might just be the grumpiest-looking frog on the planet. It has a round, chubby body, tiny limbs, and a face that seems permanently annoyed. But don’t be fooled by its expression—this little frog is full of surprises!

Scientific Classification

Category	Details
Family	Brevicipitidae
Genus	Breviceps
Species	Breviceps adspersus

Common Names

People also call it:

• Bushveld Rain Frog
• Short-Headed Frog
• Grumpy Frog (unofficial, but totally fitting)

How to Identify a Common Rain Frog

This frog has a body shape that looks like someone overfilled a balloon. It’s small but round, usually about 4 to 6 cm in size. The legs are so short that it struggles to hop. Instead, it waddles like a tiny beanbag.

Colors range from brown to reddish-brown, often with darker spots or stripes. The skin is rough, giving it a slightly bumpy texture. When threatened, it can puff up like a little balloon to look bigger than it really is.

Where Does It Live?

This frog doesn’t need ponds or lakes. It prefers dry areas with loose soil, where it spends most of its life underground.

You’ll find it in:

• South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique
• Sandy or grassy areas
• Termite mounds and burrows

Unlike most frogs, it doesn’t jump into water. Instead, it digs into the ground and stays hidden until it rains.

Can Common Rain Frogs Be Kept as Pets?

The Common Rain Frog is adorable, but it’s not the best pet choice. Unlike many other pet frogs, this one has special needs that make it tricky to keep in captivity.

Why It’s Difficult to Keep a Common Rain Frog as a Pet

Burrowing Lifestyle

• This frog spends most of its life underground, only coming out when it rains.
• In a tank, it needs deep, loose soil to burrow properly.

Hates Being Handled

• If you pick it up, it squeaks loudly in protest.
• It’s a stress response, not a cute feature.

Diet Challenges

• It eats live insects, mainly ants and termites.
• Keeping a steady supply of these bugs can be tricky.

Doesn’t Like Water

• Unlike many pet frogs, it doesn’t swim or use a water dish.
• Keeping humidity levels just right can be a challenge.

Not a Social Frog

• It’s a solitary species and doesn’t do well in groups.
• Putting two together can cause stress or fights.

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Can You Keep One Legally?

• In many places, wild-caught Common Rain Frogs are illegal to own.
• Some breeders might offer captive-bred ones, but they’re rare.
• Always check local laws before considering one as a pet.

Best Pet Alternatives

If you love frogs but want an easier one to care for, consider:

• Pacman Frog – Also loves to burrow but adapts well to tanks.
• White’s Tree Frog – Friendly, easy to handle, and good for beginners.
• Fire-Bellied Toad – Active, colorful, and loves water.

Ideal Common Rain Frog Enclosure

The Common Rain Frog is not your typical pet frog. It spends most of its life underground and doesn’t need a water dish or climbing space. Setting up the right enclosure is key to keeping it happy.

Tank Size & Type

• Minimum size: 10-gallon tank for one frog
• Lid: Must be secure but allow airflow (screen top preferred)
• Material: Glass or plastic works, but ventilation is important

Substrate (The Most Important Part!)

Since this frog loves burrowing, the substrate is everything.

• Depth: At least 4 to 6 inches

Best options:

• Coconut fiber (Eco Earth) – Holds moisture well
• Topsoil (chemical-free) – Natural and good for burrowing
• Moss mix – Helps with humidity
• Mix of all three – Ideal for mimicking natural habitat

• Avoid: Sand, gravel, or reptile carpets (they don’t allow burrowing)

Temperature & Humidity

• Temperature range: 70-78°F (21-26°C)
• Heating: Usually not needed, but a low-wattage heat mat under one side of the tank can help in colder areas
• Humidity: 50-70%, higher during rainy months

How to maintain humidity:

• Mist the tank lightly once a day
• Use a moisture-retaining substrate
• Add a small humidity gauge

Hiding & Burrowing Spots

• Provide leaf litter or flat pieces of cork bark
• A few small, shallow burrows (pre-dug) can help the frog settle in

Water & Hydration

• No water dish needed – This frog doesn’t soak in water
• It gets moisture from its skin and the damp substrate

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Food & Feeding Area

• Live food only: Small insects like ants, termites, tiny crickets
• No feeding dish needed – Just release food in the enclosure

A well-setup enclosure mimics its natural underground lifestyle. The most important things are deep burrowing soil, proper humidity, and minimal handling. If done right, a Common Rain Frog can live comfortably in captivity, but it’s a hands-off pet meant for observation, not interaction.

A Frog That Hates Water?

Most frogs love water, but the Common Rain Frog avoids it as much as possible. It’s a burrowing species, meaning it digs deep into the soil to stay cool and safe.

During dry months, it seals itself underground, waiting for rain. When it finally rains, it emerges, looking more annoyed than ever.

The Cutest Little Squeak

If you pick one up, you’ll hear a high-pitched squeak that sounds like a rubber toy. This is its way of saying, “Put me down!” The sound is funny, but it’s actually a defense mechanism to scare off predators.

No Tadpoles? No Problem!

Most frogs lay eggs in water, but not this one. The Common Rain Frog skips the tadpole stage entirely.

• The female lays eggs in a burrow underground.
• The eggs hatch directly into tiny froglets, skipping the swimming phase.
• No ponds, no puddles—just instant baby frogs!

This unique method helps them survive in dry areas where water is scarce.

What Do They Eat?

They aren’t picky eaters, but they do love insects.

• Ants
• Termites
• Small beetles
• Spiders

Their short legs mean they don’t chase prey. Instead, they wait for food to come close, then snatch it up.

Threats and Conservation

Right now, the Common Rain Frog is not endangered, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe.

Biggest threats:

• Habitat loss – Farmlands and cities are replacing its natural home.
• Climate change – Less rain means fewer chances for the frog to come out.
• Pet trade – Some people collect them illegally.

For now, it still thrives in the wild, but keeping its habitat safe is important.

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Fun Facts About the Common Rain Frog

• It never swims—a frog that dislikes water is rare!
• If threatened, it inflates like a balloon to scare off enemies.
• Its squeaky sound makes it seem more dramatic than it actually is.
• Unlike many frogs, males and females don’t look alike—the female is much bigger!

Final Thoughts

The Common Rain Frog may look constantly annoyed, but it’s one of the most unique frogs out there. It prefers dry land, skips the tadpole phase, and makes a noise that sounds like a tiny chew toy.

Next time you see a picture of a frog that looks like it’s having the worst day ever, chances are, it’s this one.