I saw it sitting among white water lily pads, its bright green skin almost exactly the same color as the leaves around it. At first, I thought it looked like a cartoon..too perfect to be real. But it was real.
This was the Indian Green Frog, or Euphlyctis hexadactylus. Also called the green pond frog or Indian five-fingered frog, it’s a common aquatic species found in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It spends most of its life in ponds, wetlands, and slow-moving streams, just like the duck pond at Beddagana Wetlands where we were exploring.
We even stopped there for a while and tried spotting the Indian Green Frogs who were quietly watching us from the water. It felt almost like a little game,searching carefully among the lily pads to see if we could spot them without disturbing them. This activity was surprisingly serene, giving us time to observe nature quietly and attentively.
The frogs’ bright green color helps them blend perfectly with the lily pads, protecting them from predators. Their smooth, moist skin allows them to breathe through both lungs and skin,an amazing adaptation for an aquatic life. With strong hind legs, they can leap quickly to catch insects or escape danger. Mostly nocturnal, they are more active at night but remain still during the day, using their stillness as a clever defense strategy.
Seeing them there made me realize how important these wetlands are. They aren’t just muddy ponds,they’re homes to frogs, birds, insects, and so many other creatures. As kids, we can help protect them in small ways: by not littering, by picking up trash we see, by telling our friends and family why wetlands matter, and by being careful not to disturb plants or animals while visiting. Even small actions can make a big difference for these delicate ecosystems.
Watching those little green frogs made me feel connected to the wetland in a way I hadn’t before. Something that seemed so tiny and simple turned out to be fascinating and it reminded me that we all have a role in keeping nature safe.