African Grey Foam Nest Tree Frog

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The African grey foam-nest tree frog or *Chiromantis xerampelina* is a special arboreal species from sub-Saharan Africa.
It uses aerial foam nests to protect its eggs and help tadpoles survive against environmental challenges and predators.

This species is native to sub-Saharan Africa, with major populations found in South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia.
It lives in savanna woodlands, forest edges, and areas near freshwater pools or ponds to build breeding nests over water.
The IUCN Red List classifies this frog as Least Concern (LC) because its global population is stable and faces no major threats.
Females lay eggs in aerial foam nests suspended above water to stop drying out and protect them from predators.
During the rainy season lasting from October to February, females secrete a fluid and mix it with males to create bubbly foam over water.
Eggs hatch inside the foam nests, and tadpoles drop down into the water after breaking the base to spend 6 to 8 weeks developing.
Multiple males and females work together in cooperative nesting to build bigger nests that hold moisture better, where paternity is often shared.
Amazing adaptations include semi-impermeable skin that reduces water loss, the ability to change color for camouflage, and surviving through food shortages.
Main local threats include habitat loss due to deforestation, water pollution, and wetland drainage, even though overall numbers are steady.