Shovelnose frog

{{Short description|Genus of amphibians}}

{{automatic taxobox

| name = Shovelnose frogs

| image = Hemisus marmoratus.jpg

| image_caption = Marbled snout-burrower

| parent_authority = Cope, 1867

| display_parents = 2

| taxon = Hemisus

| authority = Günther, 1859

| subdivision_ranks = Species

| subdivision = Hemisus barotseensis

Hemisus brachydactylus

Hemisus guineensis

Hemisus guttatus

Hemisus marmoratus

Hemisus microscaphus

Hemisus olivaceus

Hemisus perreti

Hemisus wittei

| range_map = Hemisotidae range.PNG

| range_map_caption = Distribution of Hemisotidae (in black)

}}

The shovelnose frogs are the species of frogs in the genus, Hemisus, the only genus in the family Hemisotidae. They are found in tropical and subtropical sub-Saharan Africa. The shovelnose frogs are moderate-sized frogs, reaching a length of {{convert|8|cm|in|abbr=on}}. They are round-bodied, with short legs. Their heads are small and narrow, with hard, upturned noses.{{cite book |editor=Cogger, H.G. |editor2=Zweifel, R.G.|author= Zweifel, Robert G.|year=1998|title=Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians|publisher= Academic Press|location=San Diego|pages= 101–102|isbn= 0-12-178560-2}}

The shovelnose frogs are burrowing frogs, living most of their lives underground. The female digs underground while in amplexus, and lays her eggs in an underground cavity. The male leaves through the tunnel, and the female remains with the eggs. Once sufficient rain has fallen, the female burrows with her nose towards a water source, where the tadpoles will remain until metamorphosis. The tadpoles may remain out of water up to a few days.

Unlike most burrowing frogs, the shovelnose frogs burrow head-first, as opposed to rear-first, hence their other common names - snout-burrowers. Some species are kept as pets.