A new species of frog, which looks like a rock, has been discovered in northern Vietnam.

Researchers first discovered the frog in 2013, while surveying forests in Lai Chau and Tuyen Quang provinces, but only this week was it confirmed to be an entirely new species.

Researchers have named it the stone leaf litter frog for its distinctive rock like appearance.

The frog measures between two to five centimetres, and has gold copper coloured eyes.

But much still remains a mystery about the newly discovered frog.

Less than 50 adults have ever been recorded, and virtually nothing is known about its tadpoles.

Researchers suspect that the new species is already threatened by extinction due to the loss of evergreen forests in its natural habitat.

– TiVi Tuan-san