The marbled snout-burrower frog [Hemisus marmoratus] is a tiny member of the family Hemisotidae, encompassing the “shovelnose frogs”, so named for their behavior of digging burrows head-first instead of with their hind legs. These frogs are...

The marbled snout-burrower frog [Hemisus marmoratus] is a tiny member of the family Hemisotidae, encompassing the “shovelnose frogs”, so named for their behavior of digging burrows head-first instead of with their hind legs. These frogs are widespread throughout the subtropical and tropical dry forests of Africa, spending most of their lives below ground to escape the heat of the day. Image by Explorer’s Club.