VU

Breviceps macrops

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Desert Rain Frog, classified as Vulnerable, faces mounting pressure from diamond mining and associated infrastructure development along the Namaqualand and southern Namibian coastline where it burrows in vegetated dune systems. Off-road vehicle use on coastal dunes crushes burrows and compacts sand, directly degrading the loose substrate this species depends on for its fossorial lifestyle. Coastal development for tourism and residential expansion further fragments its narrow, restricted range, which is confined to a thin strip of coastal desert habitat.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits coastal sand dunes and vegetated hummocks within the narrow desert strip along the Atlantic coast of Namaqualand, South Africa, and southern Namibia, relying on damp, loose sand for burrowing.

Other threatened species in BREVICIPITIDAE

CR

Nguru Warty Frog

Callulina meteora

Unknown
CR

Breviceps bagginsi

Unknown
VU

Breviceps sylvestris

Unknown
Bale Mountains TreefrogCR

Bale Mountains Treefrog

Balebreviceps hillmani

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Breviceps macrops classified as Vulnerable?
Breviceps macrops is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Desert Rain Frog, classified as Vulnerable, faces mounting pressure from diamond mining and associated infrastructure development along the Namaqualand and southern Namibian coastline where it burrows in vegetated dune systems. Off-road vehicle use on coastal dunes crushes burrows and compacts sand, directly degrading the loose substrate this species depends on for its fossorial lifestyle. Coastal development for tourism and residential expansion further fragments its narrow, restricted range, which is confined to a thin strip of coastal desert habitat.
Where does Breviceps macrops live?
Breviceps macrops occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Breviceps macrops?
The main threats to Breviceps macrops are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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