Death Feigning Behaviour of Several Frog Species from Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Two individuals of ranid species, Hylarana picturata and Hylarana laterimaculata, were collected from Sungai Sedim Recreational Forest. A single individual of dicroglossid species, Occidozyga laevis and two individuals of Polypedates leucomystax, were captured from Ulu Paip and Bukit Hijau Recreational Forest respectively. When approached and handled for photography, the first two species leaped in very erratic patterns for approximately 10-15 minutes, before becoming exhausted and exhibiting death feigning posture. However, the third species only made a single leap before displayed a death feigning behaviour. The latter species also showed thanatosis behaviour, but in a very different body posture. The first specimen of P. leucomystax flexed its head ventrally, while the second specimen stretched its hindlimbs laterally.