Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Frog study finds new mating position

A new amphibian mating position has been discovered by scientists studying the Bombay night frog.

You could call it frogs' porn - scientists have identified a previously unknown and unusual amphibian mating position dubbed the "dorsal straddle".

The Kama Newtra discovery emerged from observations of the Bombay night frog (Nyctibatrachus humayuni), which lives in the Western Ghats of India, a biodiversity hotspot.

Six mating positions, or "amplexus nodes", are known among the almost 7000 species of frogs and toads around the world.

But the Bombay night frog does sex differently.

While performing the "dorsal straddle", the male sits above his mate's back with his hands and feet grasping or resting on a leaf, branch or tree trunk.

Now comes the X-rated bit.

The male releases sperm over the female's back before moving away. The female then lays her eggs, which are fertilised by the sperm trickling down her back.

As a result, there is no actual physical contact between the sexes during egg laying and fertilisation.

In other frogs, the female usually lays eggs while embracing her mate while the male simultaneously releases his sperm.

Lead researcher Professor Sathyabhama Das Biju, from the University of Delhi, said: "This is a remarkable frog with an unprecedented reproductive behaviour, which is unique for a number of reasons.

"This discovery is fundamental for understanding the evolutionary ecology and behaviour in anuran (frogs and toads) amphibians."


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world