Bale Mountains Treefrog
Balebreviceps hillmani
Photo: Photo: (c) Stu Nielsen, all rights reserved, uploaded by Stu Nielsen
Overview
The Bale Mountains tree frog is a species of frog in the family Brevicipitidae. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Balebreviceps and endemic to the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia. Its natural habitats are tree heath woodland near the timberline as well as partly cleared mixed forest further down.
Despite its entire range being within the Bale Mountains National Park, it is threatened by habitat loss and deterioration (deforestation) caused by cattle grazing, firewood collection, fencing, and settlement development.
Balebreviceps hillmani faces severe threats from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in its restricted montane habitat. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat degradation, with ongoing conversion of native grasslands and shrublands for cultivation posing the primary risk. Climate change may further compress its already narrow altitudinal range, while invasive plant species alter the composition of its specialized high-altitude ecosystem.
Habitat
This species inhabits high-altitude montane grasslands and shrublands in the Ethiopian Highlands, typically found at elevations above 3,000 meters. It occupies specialized microhabitats within Afroalpine vegetation zones, particularly areas with dense grass tussocks and scattered shrubs that provide both foraging opportunities and shelter.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in BREVICIPITIDAE
Threatened in Ethiopia
Frequently asked questions
Why is Bale Mountains Treefrog classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Bale Mountains Treefrog live?
What are the main threats to Bale Mountains Treefrog?
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