''Raorchestes shillongensis'' (common names: Shillong bubble-nest frog, Shillong bush frog, Xmas frog) is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Greater Shillong in North East India. It is known from the Khasi Hills in the region of Shillong, Meghalaya in north-eastern India.

Habitat and conservation

This frog is widespread in the Khasi Hills and has also been observed in other places, mostly between 1000 and 1600 meters above sea level. This frog perches on shrubs in forests, but it can also live near streams and even in human settlements. Like other frogs in ''Raorchestes'', scientists believe it breeds through direct development with no free-swimming tadpole stage. Scientists classify this frog as least concern of extinction because of its large range and its tolerance to habitat disturbance. What threats remain come from habitat loss, such as deforestation associated with

logging Logging is the process of cutting, processing, and moving trees to a location for transport. It may include skidding, on-site processing, and loading of trees or logs onto trucks or skeleton cars. Logging is the beginning of a supply chain ...

and infrastructure. Scientists also cite climate change as a threat to this species. Because it lives at high elevations, it cannot simply migrate in search of new habitats.

Documentary

''Thumbelina - the story of an Xmas Frog'' by award-winning Indian wildlife filmmaker Ashwika Kapur is a documentary on ''Raorchestes shillongensis''.

References

shillongensis Endemic fauna of India Frogs of India Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Amphibians described in 1973 {{Rhacophoridae-stub