Amphibian Chorus

The Maasai Mara savanna landscape is dotted with semi-permanent and permanent water pools. During the rainy season, these pools fill with water, sparking a surge of life among amphibian species. The air becomes alive with the calls of various amphibians, as they establish territories and signal for potential mates, creating a captivating evening chorus. Among the most prominent voices in this symphony are the Puddle frogs, named for their tendency to breed in temporary waterbodies like puddles. Their calls resound as they compete to outdo one another. Accompanying them, the Common reed frogs contribute with their distinctive high-pitched calls, blending seamlessly into the chorus.  

Occasionally, the Peter’s foam nest frogs add their unique mix of croaks and squeaks, punctuating the ongoing melody. Scattered throughout the recording, the Senegal Kassina’s popping sound adds more texture to the chorus, while the Crowned Bullfrog’s advertisement call, a slightly rising low gnarl, emerges towards the end. Amidst this cacophony, the distant echoes of hyenas faintly intertwine with the chorus, adding an eerie undertone to the evening’s ambiance. Suddenly, the roar of a lion pierces through the night and chorus, as if asserting its dominance over the surrounding wilderness, momentarily overshadowing the calls of the frogs, as if reminding them of the presence of the king of the jungle!