Bumblebee toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bumblebee toad |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| The name bumblebee toad comes from their distinct black and yellow pattern. | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
The Bumblebee toad (scientific name: Melanophryniscus stelzneri) is a small, colorful toad that lives in Argentina. It's also known as the black-and-yellow walking toad. This toad gets its common name because its bright black and yellow patterns look a lot like a bumblebee! People sometimes keep these unique toads as pets.
Contents
What Does the Bumblebee Toad Look Like?
Scientists first described the bumblebee toad in 1875. These tiny toads usually grow to be about 2.75 centimeters long. That's less than an inch! Female toads are almost always a bit bigger than the males.
The back of a bumblebee toad is black with bright yellow spots and stripes. Their belly area is black with red marks. Their feet are usually solid red, except for the back toes. Sometimes, these red belly spots can even reach their back, especially on females. Each toad's markings are very different, and it's rare to find two toads with exactly the same pattern on both sides of their body.
Where Do Bumblebee Toads Live?
Bumblebee toads were first found in Córdoba, Argentina. Today, you can mostly find them in Paraguay and Argentina. They have also been seen sometimes in Uruguay and Brazil. It's possible they might even live in Bolivia too.
What Do Bumblebee Toads Eat?
In the wild, bumblebee toads eat small insects and worms. These toads can be poisonous in nature. Scientists believe they get their toxins from special substances called alkaloids found in the insects they eat. The bright colors of the bumblebee toad are a warning sign to predators. This warning system is called aposematism. It tells other animals, "Hey, I'm poisonous, don't eat me!" However, if bumblebee toads are kept as pets, they usually don't have these toxins.
See also
In Spanish: Melanophryniscus stelzneri para niños
