FROGS OF THE ARABUKO-SOKOKE FOREST, KENYA

Robert C. Drewes, PhD
Curator & Chairman
Department of Herpetology
California Academy of Sciences

Amphibian and Predator List

- this list contains images, sounds and descriptions of the frogs and some of the predators and other inhabitants of the Arabuko-Sokoke forest. The author has been working in the forest since 1986.
- all photos by author unless otherwise indicated

Research in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest

Eleventh Meeting of the African Amphibian Working Group, 19-21 April, Watamu, Kenya
1.25 MB PDF. Requires Acrobat Reader.

The Arabuko-Sokoke is Kenya's last remaining coastal forest. It is but 400 km2 in area and located approximately 60 miles north of the port of Mombasa.

The Arabuko-Sokoke is about 25% primary forest and is characterized by the tree genera Afzelia, Brachylaena, Brachystegia, Cynometra and Manilkara, among others.

The author's study area is a large 10 hectare2 clearing in the forest, created many decades ago by excavations by the Kenya Glass Company. During the two dry seasons, January-February and June-September, there is almost no free water available in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest.

During the rains, the study area is inundated, pools form some of which can be up to 70 cm deep providing breeding sites for over 20 species of frogs.

Semi-permanent pond, southern part of forest, Kararacha Gate.

Dry season, whistling duck pond, central forest, Mida Gate.

For more information on Arabuko-Sokoke frogs see 1997.SWARA 20(2).