# Reinwardt's flying frog

> Reinwardt's flying frog (Rhacophorus reinwardtii) is a green, broadly webbed tree frog of the forests of Java and Sumatra that lays eggs in foam nests.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/reinwardts-flying-frog/ · Updated 25 September 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/katak-terbang-jawa/
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**Review status:** Compiled and checked against the listed sources; not yet reviewed by a specialist.

## Quick answer

The Reinwardt's flying frog (*Rhacophorus reinwardtii*) is an amphibian in the family Rhacophoridae. Its IUCN Red List category is Least Concern.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Rhacophorus reinwardtii* |
| Indonesian name | Katak terbang Jawa |
| Group | Amphibians |
| Family | Rhacophoridae |
| Range in Indonesia | Java and northern Sumatra |
| Linked habitats | [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/) |
| Diet | Spiders, grasshoppers and other insects |
| Range in Indonesia | Java; also recorded in North Sumatra |
| Key feature | Green back, fully webbed digits, dark blue flank streaks |
| Elevation | 20–1,800 m above sea level on Java |
| Other names | Katak terbang Jawa, katak pohon hijau, Reinwardt's gliding frog |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5217267) · checked 25 September 2026 |

## What is Reinwardt's flying frog?

Reinwardt's flying frog (Rhacophorus reinwardtii) is a medium to large tree frog with a green back and fully webbed fingers and toes. Researchers describe Rhacophorus as a genus of parachuting frogs.

Fajri and colleagues (2023), summarising Schlegel's 1840 description, list skin flaps along the front and rear edges of the limbs, a green back with small dark spots, a yellow or orange belly and dark blue streaks on the flanks. It was once thought to range widely in South-east Asia, but populations in Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, southern Vietnam and northern Thailand are now treated as separate species.

Evidence: [Raffles Bulletin of Zoology — Fajri, Tjong & Hamidy (2023), Identification and taxonomic status of a Sumatran population of Norhayati's gliding frog (PDF)](https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RBZ-2023-0023.pdf) · [Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (PubMed) — O'Connell et al. (2018), Synchronous diversification of parachuting frogs (genus Rhacophorus) on Sumatra and Java](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29496542/)

## Where does Reinwardt's flying frog live?

Reinwardt's flying frog lives on Java and, according to a 2023 genetic study, also in North Sumatra, where frogs from Mardingding grouped with Javan R. reinwardtii. On Java it has been recorded from 20 to 1,800 m above sea level, in primary and secondary rainforest and on agroforestry land.

Habitat modelling by Kurniawan and colleagues (2024) estimated that only about 27 per cent of Java is suitable for the species, mainly the large forests of West and Central Java. Tree canopy cover and elevation were the strongest predictors in the model. In East Java it has been recorded in places including Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Bondowoso and Kediri.

Evidence: [Raffles Bulletin of Zoology — Fajri, Tjong & Hamidy (2023), Identification and taxonomic status of a Sumatran population of Norhayati's gliding frog (PDF)](https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RBZ-2023-0023.pdf) · [Journal of Tropical Biodiversity and Biotechnology — Kurniawan et al. (2024), Habitat suitability modelling of Rhacophorus reinwardtii in Java, with notes on habitat characteristics from Malang, East Java](https://journal.ugm.ac.id/jtbb/article/view/84459) · [Berkala Ilmiah Biologi (UGM) — Pratama et al. (2023), Distribusi dan karakteristik habitat katak pohon hijau (Rhacophorus reinwardtii) di Jawa Timur (PDF)](https://journal.ugm.ac.id/v3/bib/article/download/9349/3806/)

## What does Reinwardt's flying frog eat?

Reinwardt's flying frog is a generalist predator of small animals, especially spiders and grasshoppers. An undergraduate study at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) examined the stomach contents of this frog at Ranca Upas, Ciwidey, West Java, during the March–May 2017 rainy season, using stomach flushing.

By number, spiders (Araneae) were the most common prey, at 40 per cent. By volume, grasshoppers and their relatives (Orthoptera) dominated, at 40.72 per cent. Its diet overlapped heavily with that of R. margaritifer at the same site, suggesting the two species compete for food. The frog is active at night and helps control insect pests.

Evidence: [Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Repository — Ramadi (2017), Karakteristik habitat dan makanan alami dua spesies katak pohon simpatrik Rhacophorus di kawasan Ranca Upas Ciwidey, Jawa Barat](https://repository.upi.edu/32936/) · [West Java Conservation Trust Fund (WJCTF) — Info Spesies: Katak Pohon Hijau (Rhacophorus reinwardtii)](https://conservation.id/2021/06/23/info-spesies-katak-hijau-rhacophorus-reinwardtii/)

## How does Reinwardt's flying frog breed?

Reinwardt's flying frog lays its eggs in foam nests attached to leaves above water. In Malang, East Java, Kurniawan and colleagues found foam nests at the base of leaves, with eggs wrapped in the leaves of trees near pools. Its tadpoles need natural or artificial ponds to develop.

Breeding sites included permanent ponds, rainwater reservoirs in plantations and densely vegetated roadside puddles. The frog lives in the tree canopy, 2.5–5.5 metres above the ground, but comes down to mate; in the breeding season 10–15 frogs may gather at one site. In Malang, males outnumbered females by about three to one.

Evidence: [Journal of Tropical Biodiversity and Biotechnology — Kurniawan et al. (2024), Habitat suitability modelling of Rhacophorus reinwardtii in Java, with notes on habitat characteristics from Malang, East Java](https://journal.ugm.ac.id/jtbb/article/view/84459)

## Is Reinwardt's flying frog endangered?

The IUCN Red List (2022) lists Reinwardt's flying frog as Least Concern, but Indonesian researchers argue its habitat is much smaller and more fragmented than previously thought. Kurniawan and colleagues (2024) suggest that the impression of a large population may come from the frogs gathering in large numbers at breeding sites.

The frog depends on dense tree cover and water bodies. Much of Java's lowland forest has been lost, so in East Java its suitable habitat lies mainly in the highlands. At its breeding sites around Malang, mostly agroforestry land, farmers often use pesticides and herbicides that could harm the frogs.

Evidence: [Journal of Tropical Biodiversity and Biotechnology — Kurniawan et al. (2024), Habitat suitability modelling of Rhacophorus reinwardtii in Java, with notes on habitat characteristics from Malang, East Java](https://journal.ugm.ac.id/jtbb/article/view/84459) · [Berkala Ilmiah Biologi (UGM) — Pratama et al. (2023), Distribusi dan karakteristik habitat katak pohon hijau (Rhacophorus reinwardtii) di Jawa Timur (PDF)](https://journal.ugm.ac.id/v3/bib/article/download/9349/3806/)

## How can Reinwardt's flying frog be protected?

The most important step is to protect forests with dense canopy and the water bodies where the frog breeds. Kurniawan and colleagues recommend creating water reservoirs around its natural habitat, especially on agroforestry land, and planting broadleaf shade plants around them as egg-laying sites.

Reduce pesticide and herbicide use near the ponds and puddles where the frogs breed. Do not catch the frogs or remove their foam nests. Observers can help by photographing frogs without touching them and uploading records to citizen-science platforms such as iNaturalist; Pratama and colleagues (2023) used 16 iNaturalist records to map the species in East Java.

Evidence: [Journal of Tropical Biodiversity and Biotechnology — Kurniawan et al. (2024), Habitat suitability modelling of Rhacophorus reinwardtii in Java, with notes on habitat characteristics from Malang, East Java](https://journal.ugm.ac.id/jtbb/article/view/84459) · [Berkala Ilmiah Biologi (UGM) — Pratama et al. (2023), Distribusi dan karakteristik habitat katak pohon hijau (Rhacophorus reinwardtii) di Jawa Timur (PDF)](https://journal.ugm.ac.id/v3/bib/article/download/9349/3806/)

## Common questions about the Reinwardt's flying frog

### What is the scientific name of the Reinwardt's flying frog?

The scientific name of the Reinwardt's flying frog is *Rhacophorus reinwardtii*, in the family Rhacophoridae. In Indonesian it is called Katak terbang Jawa.

### Where can the Reinwardt's flying frog be found in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, this guide records the Reinwardt's flying frog in: Java and northern Sumatra.

Source-supported habitats: [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/).

### What does the Reinwardt's flying frog eat?

Diet of the Reinwardt's flying frog: spiders, grasshoppers and other insects.

### What is the conservation status of the Reinwardt's flying frog?

On the IUCN Red List, the Reinwardt's flying frog is listed as Least Concern: it does not currently qualify for a threatened category in the global assessment. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5217267), checked 25 September 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Reinwardt's flying frog is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/glossary/#satwa-dilindungi) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [Raffles Bulletin of Zoology — Fajri, Tjong & Hamidy (2023), Identification and taxonomic status of a Sumatran population of Norhayati's gliding frog (PDF)](https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/RBZ-2023-0023.pdf)
2. [Journal of Tropical Biodiversity and Biotechnology — Kurniawan et al. (2024), Habitat suitability modelling of Rhacophorus reinwardtii in Java, with notes on habitat characteristics from Malang, East Java](https://journal.ugm.ac.id/jtbb/article/view/84459)
3. [Berkala Ilmiah Biologi (UGM) — Pratama et al. (2023), Distribusi dan karakteristik habitat katak pohon hijau (Rhacophorus reinwardtii) di Jawa Timur (PDF)](https://journal.ugm.ac.id/v3/bib/article/download/9349/3806/)
4. [Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Repository — Ramadi (2017), Karakteristik habitat dan makanan alami dua spesies katak pohon simpatrik Rhacophorus di kawasan Ranca Upas Ciwidey, Jawa Barat](https://repository.upi.edu/32936/)
5. [Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (PubMed) — O'Connell et al. (2018), Synchronous diversification of parachuting frogs (genus Rhacophorus) on Sumatra and Java](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29496542/)
6. [West Java Conservation Trust Fund (WJCTF) — Info Spesies: Katak Pohon Hijau (Rhacophorus reinwardtii)](https://conservation.id/2021/06/23/info-spesies-katak-hijau-rhacophorus-reinwardtii/)

## Keep exploring

- [Schlegel's Frog](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/chalcorana-chalconota/)
- [Asian Common Toad](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/duttaphrynus-melanostictus/)
- [Crab-eating Frog](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/fejervarya-cancrivora/)
- [Green Paddy Frog](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hylarana-erythraea/)
- [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Reinwardt's flying frog. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/reinwardts-flying-frog/