Ansonia tiomanica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ansonia tiomanica |
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Ansonia tiomanica, also known as the Pulau Tioman slender toad or Pulo Tioman stream toad, is a special kind of toad. It belongs to the Bufonidae family, which includes many types of toads. This toad is found only in one place: Tioman Island (also called Pulau Tioman), which is an island off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Being found only in one specific place means it is endemic there.
Meet the Pulau Tioman Slender Toad
These toads are quite small. Male Ansonia tiomanica are about 27–31 mm (1.1–1.2 in) long from their snout (nose) to their vent (bottom). Females are a bit larger, measuring about 32–37 mm (1.3–1.5 in).
They have a clear eardrum, called a tympanum, on the side of their head. Their back, or dorsum, has rough skin and is black. It is covered with small, yellow spots. Young toads might even have orange spots. Their chest and belly are also black. The fingers and toes of these toads are long and thin, and they have rounded tips.
The bright colours of this toad might be a warning sign, which is called aposematic coloration. This means their skin contains toxins (poisons) that can harm or even kill other frogs. It's their way of telling predators to stay away!
Where They Live and How They Are Protected
The Ansonia tiomanica lives in natural habitats like primary montane forests. These are old, untouched forests found on mountains.
At lower elevations, around 200 meters (about 650 feet) above sea level, you can often find them near large rocks along fast-flowing streams. At higher elevations, above 800 meters (about 2,600 feet), they prefer special cave-like spots. These spots are formed by very large granite boulders.
These toads are active at night. They are usually seen perched on the vertical sides of rocks. You will rarely find them on leaves.
In the future, their homes could be at risk. This is because of habitat loss caused by clearing land for buildings and other things needed for tourism. Even with this possible threat, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species currently lists them as "Least Concern." This means they are not in immediate danger of disappearing.
