Granular toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Granular toad |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Megophryidae |
| Genus: | Leptobrachella |
| Species: |
L. tuberosa
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| Binomial name | |
| Leptobrachella tuberosa (Inger, Orlov, and Darevsky, 1999)
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| Distribution of Leptobrachella tuberosa | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Leptolalax tuberosus Inger, Orlov, and Darevsky, 1999 |
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The Leptobrachella tuberosa, also called the granular toad, is a type of frog. It belongs to the Megophryidae family. This small frog is found only in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. You can find it in the provinces of Gia Lai, Quảng Nam, and Thừa Thiên–Huế Province.
Scientists think its home might be even bigger. It could live in parts of northeastern Cambodia and southeastern Laos. The name tuberosa comes from a Latin word. It means "full of bumps," which describes this frog's skin.
Contents
What Does the Granular Toad Look Like?
Size and Shape
Adult male granular toads are about 2.4 to 3.0 centimeters (1 inch) long. Female frogs are a bit bigger, around 3.0 centimeters (1 inch) long. These frogs have a sturdy, stocky body shape.
Their snout, or nose, can be pointed, rounded, or flat. The frog's eardrum, called the tympanum, is hidden under its skin. Their fingers and toes have blunt tips. The toes also have a small amount of webbing at their base.
Skin and Color
The skin on the frog's back is covered with many small bumps. These bumps are called tubercles. The frog's back is usually dark gray or black. It has faint light spots. These spots become clearer lower down on its sides.
The frog's belly is white. It has thin black lines. Its legs have darker stripes across them.
Where Does the Granular Toad Live?
Habitat and Environment
The granular toad lives in mountain forests. These forests are usually found at high places, from 850 to 1,401 meters (2,789 to 4,596 feet) above sea level. This frog likes to live near rocky streams. It also likes plants that grow along the edges of rivers.
One male frog was seen calling from plants about one meter (3 feet) above the ground. This happened next to a stream with small waterfalls. Scientists believe these frogs lay their eggs in streams. The baby frogs, called tadpoles, then grow there.
Conservation and Protection
The granular toad is mostly found in forests that have not been disturbed by people. Losing their home is a big problem for many animals, including this frog. When forests are cut down or damaged, it can harm the granular toad.
Luckily, this frog lives in some protected areas in Vietnam. These include the Ngọc Linh and Song Thanh Nature Reserves. There are also protected areas in Laos where this frog might live. Protecting these places helps keep the granular toad safe.
 | John T. Biggers |
 | Thomas Blackshear |
 | Mark Bradford |
 | Beverly Buchanan |
