A remarkable amphibian native to the tropical rainforests of South America, particularly in countries like Suriname, French Guiana, and northern Brazil. This toad is quite different from many other amphibians, primarily due to its strange and flat appearance. It has a wide, flattened body that helps it blend seamlessly into the muddy riverbeds and slow-moving streams where it lives. Its skin is typically brown or gray, with a rough, bumpy texture, which provides perfect camouflage among leaves, mud, and underwater debris. The flatness of its body makes it look almost like a pancake, and it is specially adapted to hide under rocks or in the mud of its environment.
One of the most distinctive features of the Common Surinam toad is its webbed feet. These feet are an excellent adaptation to life in the water, as they allow the toad to swim gracefully. The webbing between their toes acts like paddles, helping them move smoothly through the water. Although these toads are powerful swimmers, they spend most of their time submerged in water or near it. On land, they are much slower and less agile, preferring to stay hidden and protected in their watery homes. Their long, sharp toes also help them grip underwater surfaces, which aids in their survival and feeding.
The Common Surinam toad has one of the most fascinating reproductive strategies of any amphibian. After mating, the female lays her eggs on the male’s back, where he carries them in special pockets on his skin. These pockets act like a protective pouch, keeping the eggs safe and moist until they hatch. The male toad looks after the developing eggs until they hatch into tadpoles. These tadpoles remain within the male’s skin until they are fully developed into small toadlets. Once they are ready, the tiny toads crawl out of the male’s back, fully formed.
Distribution
Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Peru
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago
VenezuelaAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
