Helena’s stump-toed frog is a very small Madagascan species, characterised by its short digits and slow-motion movements. “Eye spots” on its back are thought to trick predators into attacking away from its head, which helps this species avoid major injury and increases chances of escape. It is ground-dwelling in the leaf litter of dry, high altitude forest fragments, and is thought to build foam nests on the ground for its eggs. It occurs in the poorly protected Ambohitantely Special Reserve and is threatened by habitat destruction as a result of fires, illegal wood cutting and agriculture.