Garman's toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Garman's toad |
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| A. garmani in Limpopo, South Africa | |
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The Garman's toad, also called the eastern olive toad, is a type of toad. It belongs to the Bufonidae family, which includes many different kinds of toads. You can find these toads across East and Southern Africa. Scientists are still studying if some groups of these toads are actually different species. For example, toads found north and south of Tanzania might be unique. Also, it's not fully clear where their home range ends in South Africa, especially near where another toad, Sclerophrys poweri, lives.
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About Garman's Toad
Where Does the Name Come From?
The name garmani for this toad was given to honor Samuel Garman. He was an American scientist who studied fish (an ichthyologist) and reptiles and amphibians (a herpetologist).
What Does It Look Like?
Male Garman's toads can grow up to about 4.2 inches (10.6 cm) long. Females are a bit bigger, reaching about 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) in length. This measurement is from their snout (nose) to their vent (where waste leaves the body).
Their eardrum, called the tympanum, is almost as big as their eye. They have large glands behind their eyes called parotoid glands. These glands can release a milky substance that helps protect them.
The toad's back can be tan or olive-brown. It often has large, dark markings outlined in black. Sometimes, a thin stripe runs down the middle of its back. Their skin has noticeable warts with small, black spines. The underside of the toad is usually off-white.
What Does It Sound Like?
When a male Garman's toad wants to attract a mate, it makes a loud call. This call sounds like a low-pitched "kwaak." Each call lasts for about one second.
Where Do Garman's Toads Live?
Their Home Range
Garman's toads live in many countries across Africa. Their range starts in Ethiopia and Somalia in the north. It stretches south through Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique. You can also find them in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Their home extends to South Africa and Eswatini. To the west, they live in Namibia and Angola.
What Kind of Places Do They Like?
These toads live in both dry and wooded savannas. Savannas are grasslands with scattered trees. They also live in areas where people farm, as long as the elevation is below 6,560 feet (2,000 meters).
One group of Garman's toads in Tanzania was found living only in woodland areas. When it's time to breed, they look for temporary pools of water. Sometimes, they will also use artificial pools or even rivers.
Are They in Danger?
Garman's toads are common in many parts of their range. However, their homes can be threatened when humans expand cities or farms. This can lead to habitat loss. Even so, these toads are very good at adapting to different environments. Because of this, they are not considered to be at serious risk right now. Many Garman's toads live safely inside protected areas.
