Duttaphrynus noellerti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Duttaphrynus noellerti |
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Bufo noellerti Manamendra-Arachchi and Pethiyagoda, 1998 |
The Duttaphrynus noellerti, also known as Noellert's toad, is a special type of toad. It belongs to the Bufonidae family, which includes many different kinds of toads. This toad is found only in the rainforests of southwestern Sri Lanka. This means it is endemic to that area, so you won't find it naturally anywhere else in the world! It was named after Andreas Nöllert, a German scientist and photographer who first noticed how unique this toad was.
What Does Noellert's Toad Look Like?
Noellert's toads have different sizes depending on if they are male or female. Adult males are usually about 50 to 62 millimeters long. Females are bigger, measuring about 80 to 89 millimeters from their snout (nose) to their vent (tail end).
Their heads have many raised lines, called ridges. One ridge, above their ear area, is wider than the others. Their heads are also covered with smooth bumps called warts. These warts have tiny, dark, spiky bits. Even the special glands behind their eyes, called parotoid glands, have these warts.
The rest of their body and their legs are covered in more spiky warts. Their back (called the dorsum) and sides are often reddish-grey or reddish-brown. They might also have dark brown patterns that look like marble. A clear dark patch runs from behind their ear area down their sides and onto the top of their legs.
Where Does Noellert's Toad Live and Why Is It Endangered?
Noellert's toad is quite rare. It lives on the ground in and around tropical lowland moist forests. You can find them at elevations from about 61 to 460 meters above sea level. Sometimes, adult toads are seen in places like rubber plantations, tea farms, or even home gardens. However, they are always very close to the edge of the forest.
Sadly, Noellert's toad is facing threats that put its future at risk. Its main problem is habitat loss. This happens when its forest home is destroyed or changed. One cause is "selective logging," where certain trees are cut down. Another issue is "agrochemical pollution," which means harmful chemicals from farming get into their environment.
Luckily, this toad can be found in some protected areas. These include the Kanneliya Forest Reserve, the Gilimale-Eratne Forest Reserve, and the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. These reserves help protect their natural home.
