Kislop Frog

Creatures of Myth

There is a story, which dates back long before the Macrans who signed the treaty with the Primians, let alone the Macrans of today. The story tells of a creature of great power and might. This beast, though small, was capable of bringing down even the most terrifying of predators. And it was after this mythical creature, the kislop frog, that many Macrans fashioned themselves.

Call of the Wild

The kislop frog came by its name because of its unique mating call. It echoes through the swamps, sounding first a high-pitched "key" noise ending in a hiss, followed by a lower-pitched "lop".

Basic Information

Anatomy

The kislop frog is a small amphibian, only 10cm (4in) from nose to tail. It has two front legs and two strong hind legs. It has ridges which run over and behind the eyes and down its back. These orange ridges hold glands which excrete a fast-acting poisonous substance which they use primarily for protection.

Life Cycle

The kislop frog lay their eggs underwater, among the roots of the Hometree - Fenfolium Abordormusia. When they hatch as tadpoles, they stay in that general area, remaining underwater, close to the mud and algae where it is safe and there is plenty of food. As their legs develop they begin to climb the roots and spend more time above the waterline. When they are a month old, their tails fall off, but it's not until they are a year old that their orange colouring and poison glands grow in. This is why the first year of the kislop frog's life has the highest mortality rate.

Dietary Needs

In their tadpole form, kislop frogs mainly live on the algae and the plants that dip into the swamp water. As they grow they eat insects and by the time they are fully grown, when their poison glands they are able to take on larger creatures. This can include small fish and crabs, like young Mud Wobbler Crabs.

Where to Find Them

There was a time when the noise of the kislop frog echoed through the swamps of Nuskan, a sound that for many represented the feeling of home. This was true in 271 PT, when the Primian/Macran treaty was signed.
Unfortunately, over the years, the destruction of much of their habitat and the impact on the water from the ocean-based mineral extraction have made this creature an endangered species.

Place in the World

Symbiotic Relationships

The kislop frog has a strong commensalism relationship with the Fenfolium Abordormusia (hometree), as it uses the tree as a home and a source of protection for its eggs and its young.

Predators

The frog is dinner for a lot of creatures of the swamp, including Red Headed Aliap (Lizard), Striped Snapback (Snake), Vont (Hawk), Hodet (Hawk) and the Moochin (Monkey).

Macrans

Many millennia ago (before the change of the calendar system to PT), the hind legs of the kislop frog were considered a delicacy, particularly as it was difficult to extract them without being affected by the poison. The poison itself was also used by the Macrans for tipping arrows and other weapons.

Lifespan

7 years

Average Weight

28g (1oz)

Average Length

10cm (4 in)

Geographic Distribution

• Nuskan
• P'Ache Micro