High in the mist-wrapped summit of Anamudi—the tallest peak of the Western Ghats—lives a tiny but dazzling creature found nowhere else on Earth: the Resplendent Shrubfrog (Raorchestes resplendens). First described in 2010, this frog is unlike any other. With its vivid red skin, glowing eyes, and odd squat form, it looks more like a character from folklore than a real animal. But make no mistake—this frog is real, rare, and rapidly inching toward the edge of extinction. It’s one of nature’s most spectacular hidden gems, tucked away in the cloud-kissed grasslands of Eravikulam.

Habitat and Distribution

Raorchestes resplendens is a high-altitude specialist. It is known only from the windswept summit of Anamudi, Kerala, at 2,695 metres above sea level. The entire known range of this species is confined to less than three square kilometres—a size smaller than most urban neighbourhoods. Here, among mossy bamboo thickets and cool montane grasslands, it makes its home. Despite extensive surveys in the surrounding areas, no other population has ever been found, making it one of the most range-restricted frogs in the world. The summit’s unique microclimate—cool, moist, and isolated—provides the precise conditions this frog needs to survive.

Appearance

The first thing that strikes observers about R. resplendens is its radiant colouration. The frog’s dorsal surface is a deep, brick red that sharply contrasts with the black lines etched into the skin, forming irregular furrows. Its limbs, toes, and fingers are similarly coloured, and its eyes shimmer with a piercing red iris—like molten lava set into its face.

But it’s not just colour that sets this frog apart. Its limbs are unusually short, giving it a squat, almost toad-like appearance. Its body is dotted with large macroglands—glandular swellings behind the eyes, along the sides, and on the limbs. These are absent in other species of Raorchestes, and their function is still a mystery. Some scientists suspect a role in chemical defense or moisture regulation, but their true purpose remains an enigma.

Behaviour and Ecology

Unlike many of its tree-dwelling relatives, R. resplendens is firmly rooted to the ground. It is entirely terrestrial, preferring the damp, mossy crevices of the forest floor over the canopy. With its short limbs, it doesn’t hop far—instead, it moves with a slow, deliberate crawl. This may be a behavioral adaptation to its cold, high-altitude environment, where conserving energy and avoiding exposure is key.

Though nocturnal by nature, little is known about its daily rhythm or diet. It is a shy and secretive species, easily overlooked unless you know exactly where to look—and even then, its habitat makes it difficult to spot.

Reproduction and Development

The Resplendent Shrubfrog reproduces through direct development—a strategy where the entire transformation from egg to froglet happens inside the egg, skipping the free-swimming tadpole stage. During the July monsoon, males and females gather at the base of bamboo clumps. After an initial inguinal amplexus lasting several hours, the pair switches to axillary position, and the female lays 18–28 eggs deep within moss-covered hollows on the forest floor.

After oviposition, both frogs leave the site, and there is no further parental care. The eggs take about 22 to 27 days to hatch, producing fully-formed froglets that are ready to explore their world. This hidden, soil-bound life cycle likely evolved to protect the species from predators and environmental instability in its exposed mountain-top habitat.

Conservation Status

With a home range smaller than many villages and strict reliance on a delicate habitat, R. resplendens is teetering on the brink. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Any disruption—whether through climate change, habitat degradation, fire, or tourism impact—could drive this species to extinction. The summit of Anamudi, while located inside a protected national park, remains vulnerable to ecological shifts and human activity.

The frog’s specialised habitat needs, coupled with its extremely limited distribution, make it one of the Western Ghats’ most urgent conservation priorities. Its entire future may hinge on protecting just a few hectares of high-altitude moss and bamboo.

Interesting Facts

The species name resplendens comes from Latin, meaning “shining” or “bright-coloured”—a fitting tribute to its vivid red hue. It was discovered by herpetologist Dr. S.D. Biju and his colleagues recognised both its genetic uniqueness and its dramatic morphology. It was this frog that helped define a new genus, Raorchestes, named partly in honour of Indian batrachologist C.R. Narayan Rao.

Curiously, the glands found on its body are not sexually dimorphic, meaning both males and females have them. This suggests they might serve a function beyond mating—perhaps deterring predators or helping the frog cope with its damp, chilly environment. Much about this frog remains unknown, making it not only beautiful but scientifically intriguing.