A tiny, high-altitude frog species from Meghalaya, Kurixalus naso, has stunned scientists with its one-of-a-kind breeding method. Instead of the usual ponds and streams, this frog tucks its eggs under the soil and relies entirely on monsoon showers to trigger hatching—a rare survival tactic perfected for Meghalaya’s intense seasons.

In fresh research published in Current Science, experts P.W. Shangpliang (St Edmund’s College, Shillong), RNK Hooroo (retired NEHU professor), and S.K. Dutta (Nature Environment and Wildlife Society, Angul) unravelled the frog’s secretive habits. As February’s first rains sprinkle the land, males emerge from rocky hideouts, dig tiny hollows in moist earth, and call out to females.

After mating, females vanish, leaving the males behind. These males carefully shuffle the eggs near the surface, blending them with soil—likely disguising them to evade predators and ensuring proper moisture levels.

Astonishingly, the eggs stay buried for over a week, lying dormant until heavy rains arrive. Only then do the tadpoles burst out—already advanced, with no gills, skipping the usual aquatic breathing stage.

This delay poses a biological puzzle: what purpose do their gills serve if they disappear before hatching?

Researchers fear this unique breeding rhythm is vulnerable. If the rains misalign due to shifting climates, eggs could desiccate or tadpoles may hatch under poor conditions. Scientists suggest K. naso could act as a vital climate change sentinel, reflecting disruptions in rainfall patterns.

Safeguarding these frogs’ damp breeding grounds is crucial for their future.