Black-eyelid Bubble-nest Frog (Philautus gracilipes)

The Gracixalus gracilipes, also known as the Black-eyelid Slender Tree Frog, is a new amphibian species discovered in 2023 in the Yunkai Mountain National Nature Reserve in Guangdong. It belongs to the genus Gracixalus of the family Rhacophoridae. It is a small-bodied frog; adult males are about 20-24 mm long, and females are about 30 mm. It has a broad brown stripe extending from the snout tip along the canthus rostralis, upper eyelid, to the temporal region. There is a distinct "X"-shaped brown pattern between the eyes and on the dorsal side of the body. Their limbs have thin brown transverse stripes on the dorsal side, and the ventral side is yellowish-white, with the ventral side of the thighs being flesh-colored. Black-eyelid Slender Tree Frogs are primarily nocturnal, especially active after rain, and feed on small insects in the forest. The breeding season typically occurs from April to May, during which male frogs gather and sing to attract females. Their breeding method is quite unique: females lay their eggs on leaf tips above puddles or swamps. The eggs are enveloped in a water-absorbing gelatinous membrane, within which they develop. After hatching, the tadpoles fall into the water to continue their development.

• Choose a tall terrarium and decorate the interior with branches, leaves, and driftwood for them to inhabit.
• Maintain humidity in the breeding environment above 70%, with good ventilation.
• Provide clean water; a shallow water basin must be placed to provide fresh drinking water.
• Feed live prey, such as appropriately sized crickets, fruit flies, or mealworms as the main diet.
• Most are suited to living in environments between 25-27°C.
• Provide ample hiding places in the terrarium, such as behind plant leaves or artificial shelters, to give them a sense of security.