In Colombia’s Llano region, in the eastern part of the country, lives one of Colombia’s most unique creatures: the cowboy frog. Scientifically known as Physalaemus fischeri, the cowboy frog, or “rana vaquera” in Spanish, stands out for its distinctive croak, which resembles the sound of a crowd.
Visitors to the region may be startled to hear this crowd-like roar coming from the grasslands, only to discover it is produced by this small frog.
Colombia’s cowboy frog croak sounds like a crowd
The cowboy frog’s croak is remarkable, mimicking the sound of a packed arena in the middle of nowhere. Even more astonishing, despite the loud noise, spotting the frog is nearly impossible. This elusive creature is smaller than a pinky finger.
In a viral TikTok video, the creator Ecosimbiosis shares fascinating facts about the frog. The content creator explains, “They are very shy, and their croak sounds like this because it’s their mating call. If we look closely, we can see the cowboy frog’s eggs.”
Spotting the cowboy frog is challenging, as it requires tracking its distinctive sound across the grasslands. However, the task becomes much easier during the mating season.
What are the conditions like in El Llano, the frogs habitat?
Experts say the frog with the unique croak can be found in the lowlands of the Colombian Orinoco region, commonly known as the Llanera Zone, as well as in the foothills of the Eastern Cordillera in Arauca, Boyacá, Casanare, and Meta.
This eastern region is a vast tropical plain covering nearly 98,000 square miles—about one-fifth of Colombia’s territory. It is a tropical savanna with seasonal rainfall and dry spells, typically in April and December. The region is also known for having the country’s most unpredictable weather.