Biologists discover 14 new ‘Dancing Frog’ species in Western Ghats

Indian scientists have found 14 new species of ‘Dancing Frogs’ in the Western Ghats. The tiny agile amphibians earned their name for the unusual kicks they use to attract mates.

The kicking or ‘foot-flagging’ is a breeding behavior shown only by the males. They stretch, extend and whip their legs out to the side to draw the attention of females who might havedifficulty hearing mating croaks over the sound of water flowing through perennial hill streams. Compared with other frogs, these frogs are so sensitive to this habitat that any change might be ravaging for them.