Dhofar toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dhofar toad |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Bufonidae |
| Genus: | Duttaphrynus |
| Species: |
D. dhufarensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Duttaphrynus dhufarensis (Parker, 1931)
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| Synonyms | |
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The Dhofar toad (Duttaphrynus dhufarensis), also known as the Oman toad, is a type of toad. It belongs to the Bufonidae family, which includes many toad species. This toad lives only in the Arabian Peninsula. You can find it in countries like Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Contents
What Does the Dhofar Toad Look Like?
The Dhofar toad is a small animal. Its appearance can change quite a bit. Some toads are greenish, while others are brown. They might be a single color or have darker spots and patterns.
How to Tell it Apart
One special feature is its large tympanum. This is like an eardrum, located just behind and below its big, bulging eyes. The Dhofar toad's large tympanum helps tell it apart from the Arabian toad. The Arabian toad, which looks similar, has a much smaller tympanum.
What Does it Sound Like?
When it's time to find a mate, the male Dhofar toad makes a sharp "kra-kra-kra" sound. This is different from the Arabian toad's call, which sounds more like a "rusty hinge." The Arabian toad also usually stays closer to water.
Where Do Dhofar Toads Live?
The Dhofar toad is one of only a few types of amphibians found in the Arabian Peninsula. It lives in Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. You can also find it on islands like the Farasan Islands.
Its Home Environment
These toads can live from sea level up to about 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) high. They prefer wet places. This includes springs, pools, streams, canals, and even gardens. Sometimes, they are found far from any permanent water source.
Life of a Dhofar Toad
Dhofar toads are mostly active at night. They like to eat insects. When there's a long dry period, these toads have a special way to survive. They bury themselves in the ground and go into a deep sleep called aestivation. They can stay buried for up to three years!
Rain and Reproduction
When heavy rain finally falls, the toads wake up. They come out to find food. Then, they head to nearby water bodies. The males call to attract females. The females lay their eggs in long strings. The tadpoles grow very quickly. This fast growth helps them develop before the temporary water sources dry up again.
Is the Dhofar Toad Safe?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) checks on animals around the world. They have listed the Dhofar toad as a species of "least concern." This means they are not worried about it becoming endangered soon.
Why It's Not Endangered
The Dhofar toad lives in many places. It can also handle some changes to its home. Scientists believe there are many Dhofar toads, and their numbers are not dropping quickly.
 | Ernest Everett Just |
 | Mary Jackson |
 | Emmett Chappelle |
 | Marie Maynard Daly |
