Black flathead toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black flathead toad |
|
|---|---|
_(7113327011).jpg) |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Nectophryne misera Mocquard, 1890 |
The Kinabalu dwarf toad, also known as the black flathead toad, is a tiny toad that lives in the forests of Borneo. Its scientific name is Pelophryne misera. This special toad is found only in certain parts of northwestern Borneo, mainly in Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia. Scientists first discovered it on Mount Kinabalu. There's another toad, the Palawan toadlet, that looks very similar and might even be a close relative!
Contents
What Does the Kinabalu Dwarf Toad Look Like?
These toads are quite small and a bit chunky. Male toads are usually about 16 to 21 millimeters long. Female toads are a little bigger, measuring about 18 to 23 millimeters long.
Colors and Skin
The Kinabalu dwarf toad is dark brown. It has black marks on its head, back, and sides. Its snout, which is its nose area, is blunt and flat. If you look closely, you'll see that its skin has small bumps, called warts.
Hands and Feet
Their hands and feet have special fleshy webbing. This webbing goes all the way to the tips of their first three fingers. This might help them move around in their damp forest home.
Differences Between Males and Females
Male and female Kinabalu dwarf toads look a bit different from each other. This is called sexual dimorphism.
- Male toads have a special pouch under their chin called a vocal sac. They use this to make calls.
- They also have a line of yellow or brown tiny spines under their jaw.
- Males have a yellow or brown pad on their first finger, which helps them hold onto females during mating.
- Tiny spines are also spread all over the male toad's back.
How Do Kinabalu Dwarf Toads Reproduce?
Male Kinabalu dwarf toads call out from shrubs that are about 50 centimeters above the ground. They are looking for a mate!
Eggs and Tadpoles
Female toads lay their eggs in small puddles on the ground. They also lay eggs inside water-filled cups of pitcher plants. These plants have cup-like leaves that collect rainwater.
A female toad lays about 10 eggs at a time. Each egg is about 2.8 millimeters wide. This is a small number of eggs compared to many other frogs and toads. The eggs hatch into tadpoles after about 16 days. These tadpoles don't need to eat outside food. They get all their nutrients from the egg yolk. After about 44 days, the tadpoles change into tiny toadlets. This process is called metamorphosis.
Where Do Kinabalu Dwarf Toads Live?
The Kinabalu dwarf toad lives in special places called montane elfin forests. These forests are found high up in the mountains, usually above 1,500 meters above sea level.
Their Home in the Forest
Adult toads mostly live on the ground. They hide in leaf litter, which is a layer of dead leaves and twigs. They also live in cracks in rocks and small holes in the ground.
Protecting the Kinabalu Dwarf Toad
The Kinabalu dwarf toad is currently listed as a species of "Least Concern" by conservation groups. This means it's not in immediate danger of disappearing. However, there are still some threats to its home.
Threats to Their Habitat
- Habitat loss: Sometimes, forests are cut down for logging. This mainly happens at lower altitudes, but it can still affect the toad's habitat.
- Tourism development: Building roads and other things for tourists can also be a problem. This can disturb the toad's natural environment.
Conservation Efforts
Luckily, the Kinabalu dwarf toad lives in Kinabalu Park. This is a protected area, which helps keep its home safe from harm.
