Sand toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cape sand toad |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Bufonidae |
| Genus: | Vandijkophrynus |
| Species: |
V. angusticeps
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| Binomial name | |
| Vandijkophrynus angusticeps (Smith, 1848)
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| Synonyms | |
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Bufo angusticeps Smith, 1848 |
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Meet the Cape Sand Toad! It's also known as the sand toad or narrow-headed toad. This cool creature is a type of toad from the family called Bufonidae, which are known as 'true toads'.
It lives only in South Africa, which means it's endemic there. You can find it in the southwestern and southern parts of the Western Cape Province, stretching to the southwestern Eastern Cape Province. These toads live from the coast up to 1,500 meters (about 4,900 feet) high in the Cape Fold Mountains.
What Does It Look Like?
Cape sand toads look a lot like other toads in their group, Vandijkophrynus. But there are a few special things that help you tell them apart. Their bellies are usually plain white, with no spots at all. Also, the tops of their feet often have a bright yellow color.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Cape sand toads come out to breed during the winter, usually from May to September. This is when heavy rains make the soil very wet and create temporary pools of water. They like to breed in these temporary puddles, especially in sandy areas. They can also breed in places with clay soil.
Male toads will call out from spots near the water's edge to attract females. Scientists have noticed that male Cape sand toads have unusually large testes. This might mean there's a lot of competition between the males to find a mate.
Where Do They Live and How Are They Protected?
Cape sand toads make their homes in a type of shrubland called fynbos heathland. This is a unique plant area found in South Africa. Sometimes, they can even survive in areas where people farm.
Sadly, these toads are facing some threats. Their homes are shrinking or getting damaged because of new buildings along the coast. Also, plants that aren't native to the area are taking over. Wetlands, which are important for the toads, are being drained for cities and farms. The Cape sand toad has disappeared from some places. However, it's still thought to be common and stable in most of its natural range.
 | John T. Biggers |
 | Thomas Blackshear |
 | Mark Bradford |
 | Beverly Buchanan |
