Four-digit toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Four-digit toad |
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The four-digit toad or dwarf toad (Didynamipus sjostedti) is a very small type of toad that belongs to the Bufonidae family. It gets its name "four-digit" because it has fewer fingers and toes than most other toads. This tiny toad lives in parts of Africa, specifically in Bioko (which is in Equatorial Guinea), southwestern Cameroon, and southeastern Nigeria. It is the only known species in its group, called the genus Didynamipus.
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What's in a Name?
The scientific name of this toad, sjostedti, was chosen to honor a Swedish scientist named Bror Yngve Sjöstedt. He was an entomologist (someone who studies insects) and an ornithologist (someone who studies birds). Mr. Sjöstedt was the person who first found and collected these special toads.
How to Spot a Four-Digit Toad
These toads are truly tiny!
- Male toads usually grow to about 16 millimeters (which is less than an inch) from their nose to their bottom.
- Female toads are a little bit bigger, reaching around 19 millimeters.
Their faces look a bit different depending on if they are male or female.
- Males have a pointy nose that sometimes looks a bit turned up.
- Females have a more rounded nose.
Unlike many other toads, they don't have visible eardrums. Their hands and feet are also quite small. They don't have all the usual fingers and toes; some are just tiny bumps. You won't see any webbing between their fingers or toes either. Their skin is usually brown with lighter and darker spots, helping them blend in with their surroundings.
Where They Live and How They Survive
The four-digit toad lives in moist forests, especially near the edges of forests or in clearings. You can find them at different heights, from about 200 meters to 1200 meters above sea level. They often gather in groups that include both males and females, and toads of different ages.
These toads can be found hiding in leaf litter on the ground or sometimes sitting on low plants. Scientists believe they lay their eggs on land, and their babies develop directly into tiny toads without going through a tadpole stage in water. This is called "direct development."
Even though they are small, these toads can handle some changes to their home. They have been found in forests that have grown back after being cut down, and even in farmland. However, their biggest threat is still the loss of their forest homes, mainly because more land is being used for farming. Luckily, they live in or near several protected areas, which helps keep them safe.
Images for kids
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A four-digit toad in its natural habitat.
See also
In Spanish: Didynamipus sjostedti para niños
