There are 24 species of amphibians in Hong Kong, with one species thought to be locally extinct.[1] There is one amphibian species, Liuixalus romeri, endemic to Hong Kong.[2] Amphibian fauna of Hong Kong fauna does not include any caecilians.
The most common amphibians one is likely to encounter are the Asian common toad, brown tree frog and banded bullfrog.
Despite their semi-terrestrial mode of life, amphibians must breed in water. Rapid development in Hong Kong has resulted in the loss of many low-lying wetlands which were once important habitats; this has led to a severe decline in the populations of certain lowland species, such as the rough-skinned floating frog (Occidozyga lima), which inhabited the once-abundant, but no longer existing paddy fields in Tung Chung. It is now thought to be locally extinct.
Pollution of water bodies and acid rain also affect species's survival. In general, the diversity of amphibians decreases as the water pollution increases. Only some hardier, pollution-tolerant species, such as Günther's frog and the Asian common toad, can thrive in polluted habitats.
Some exotic/market amphibian species are occasionally seen in the countryside, such as the American bullfrog. Some are deliberately released during Buddhist ceremonies. These released animals can adversely affect the local ecosystem and native fauna, as they may prey on, compete with, or spread disease to the native amphibian fauna.[6]