Romer's Tree Frog

Scientific Name: Liuixalus romeri¹⁾ or Philautus romeri²⁾

Endemic?: Yes (Year of Discovery: 1952, Discoverer: J.D. Romer)

IUCN Red List Status: Endangered³⁾

Population: Approximately 10,000 ⁴⁾

Distribution: Lamma Island, Lantau, Chek Lap Kok, Po Toi Islands

Romer's Tree Frog Natural Distribution and Reintroduction Sites⁵⁾

Physical Description

Being the smallest of the 22 frog species in Hong Kong, female Romer's tree frog are larger than the males and can measure up to 2cm (approximately) in length from snout to vent. Romer's tree frog are mostly tan brown with a white underbelly. A dark colored X-shape on its back assists the frog in camouflaging in its environment. ⁶⁾

Romer's Tree Frog ⁷⁾

Discovery

Discovered in 1952 in a cave on Lamma Island by an amateur herpetologist, Romer's Tree Frog is the smallest of the frogs or toads found in Hong Kong⁸⁾. It was thought to be extinct (due to a cave of a large population of Romer's Tree Frog collapsing) until its rediscovery on Lamma Island in 1984. Afterwards, several pockets of the Romer's Tree Frog have also been found in Lantau island, Chek Lap Kok and the Po Toi Islands. ⁹⁾

Conservation

Before the construction of Chep Lap Kok airport (which in turn negatively impacted the local natural environment), 500 frogs and tadpoles were kept by Hong Kong University, Melbourne Zoo in Australia and 200 others were rescued from Chek Lap Kok due to the soon to be constructed Hong Kong International Airport. The rescued Romer's Tree Frogs were soon delivered and released into 7 specially selected locations within Hong Kong Island and New Territories. ¹⁰⁾.

The frog is protected under Hong Kong's Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, Cap. 170¹¹⁾. ​

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