Beira toad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Beira toad
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Bufonidae
Genus:	Poyntonophrynus
Species:	P. beiranus
Binomial name
Poyntonophrynus beiranus (Loveridge, 1932)
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Synonyms
Bufo taitanus beiranus Loveridge, 1932 Bufo beiranus Loveridge, 1932

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The Beira toad (scientific name: Poyntonophrynus beiranus) is a small type of toad. It is sometimes called the Beira pygmy toad because of its size. This special amphibian lives in parts of southern Africa. It belongs to the Bufonidae family, which includes many different kinds of toads.

What Does the Beira Toad Look Like?

The Beira toad has some unique features.

• It does not have large, noticeable parotoid glands. These are special glands found behind the eyes of many toads.
• Its skin on its belly is finely spotted.
• It does not have a pattern on its back that looks like an hourglass.
• Its feet are not made for digging deep into the ground.
• It also does not have sticky pads on its fingers or toes. This means it cannot climb smooth surfaces easily.
• Unlike some animals, its eyes do not have pupils that are vertical, like a cat's.

Where Do Beira Toads Live?

The Beira toad is found in two main areas in southern Africa.

• One area is the coastal plain of central Mozambique. This includes the flood plain of the Pungwe River. Its range extends north into southern Malawi, near a place called Thuchila.
• The other area is in the floodplains of the Zambezi River system. This covers parts of central and southwestern Zambia.
• The toad gets its name from Beira, Mozambique. This is where the first one was officially found and described.

Beira Toad's Home

Beira toads like to live in specific types of places.

• Their natural homes are usually subtropical or tropical grasslands. These areas often get wet or flooded during certain seasons.
• They also live near freshwater marshes that dry up and fill with water at different times. These marshes can be found within or around tropical shrubland.
• These toads can live in areas up to about 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet) above sea level.

Beira Toad Habits

Scientists believe that Beira toads reproduce when there are temporary pools of water. These pools form after heavy, but not constant, rains.

• Male Beira toads make a special sound to attract females. This sound is a high-pitched buzz. It can sometimes sound a lot like the noise made by certain insects.

Protecting the Beira Toad

The Beira toad faces a few challenges that could affect its future.

• One main threat is when too much water is taken from rivers and other surface water sources. This can dry up their habitats.
• Another threat is when land is changed for farming. This can destroy the grasslands and marshes where they live.
• Good news is that Beira toads likely live in several protected areas. These include the Kafue National Park and South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. These parks help keep their homes safe.
• It can be hard to find and record this species. This means its true range might be bigger than we currently know!