Mumbai: Aarey Forest turns yellow as Indian bullfrogs begin mating ritual

A male Indian bullfrog turns bright yellow during the monsoon breeding season to attract a mate. Pics/Mahesh Yadav and Manasi Warde

With the season's first monsoon showers, Mumbai's Aarey Forest has once again become the stage for one of nature's most fascinating spectacles - the annual mating ritual of the Indian bullfrog. Triggered by the breeding season, male Indian bullfrogs change from their usual dull olive-green to a vivid yellow to attract potential mates.

A group of wildlife enthusiasts visited Aarey Milk Colony early on Thursday, following heavy rain on Tuesday night, to witness the phenomenon. Some members had documented the ritual last year as well.

Indian bullfrogs during their annual mating ritual in Aarey

Season begins

Naturalist and wildlife photographer Mahesh Yadav said the sighting marks an important seasonal event.

"When Mumbai rains call, Aarey's bullfrogs answer in full colour. The males turn bright yellow during the monsoon mating season, while their vocal sacs become striking blue to attract females and establish dominance," he said.

Yadav said the emergence of large numbers of bullfrogs is a strong sign that the monsoon has set in and biodiversity hotspots like Aarey are active again.

Brief window

The Indian bullfrog spends several months buried underground in a dormant state and emerges only after the rains begin.

Nature lover Manasi Warde said the breeding season is short and highly competitive. "With only a brief breeding window before returning to dormancy, male bullfrogs compete intensely for mates, often outnumbering females. Their calls attract females and warn rival males, leading to fierce competition and fights around a single female," she said.

Wide range

According to the Wildlife Institute of India, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, commonly known as the Indian bullfrog, is found across wetland habitats in India, Bangladesh, much of northern Pakistan, and parts of Nepal and Myanmar.

Wildlife enthusiasts

. Mahesh Yadav
. Manasi Warde
. Prabhu Swami
. Kunal Chaudhari
. Priyanka Jundare
. Suyash Tilak