Shaba Province toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shaba Province toad |
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The Sclerophrys fuliginata is a type of toad that belongs to the Bufonidae family. It's often called the Shaba Province toad or the sooty toad. Its name, fuliginata, comes from a Latin word meaning "sooty," which describes its mostly dark and plain color. You can find this toad in parts of the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo, southeastern Tanzania, and northern Zambia.
What Does the Sooty Toad Look Like?
Female sooty toads can grow up to about 6.5 centimeters (2.5 inches) long. This measurement is taken from their nose to their rear end. Male toads are a bit smaller. They become ready to breed when they are about 4 centimeters (1.5 inches) long.
This toad has a visible eardrum, called a tympanum. However, tiny spiky bumps often cover the ring around it. It also has large glands behind its eyes, called parotoid glands. These glands are covered with dark, spiky points. But, male toads that are ready to breed have fewer spikes.
The sooty toad's toes are almost completely webbed, like a duck's foot. Its skin, especially on its legs, is quite spiky. Again, breeding males have smoother skin. The toad's color is usually very plain and dark, without many patterns.
Where Do Sooty Toads Live?
The Sclerophrys fuliginata lives in mountain forests. It also likes forests that grow along rivers, known as gallery forests. You can find them on the edges of these forests too. They live at high places, more than 1,880 meters (6,168 feet) above sea level.
Scientists don't know much about how these toads reproduce. But, like most toads, they likely lay their eggs in water. The eggs then hatch into tadpoles that live in the water.
Protecting the Sooty Toad
We know about this toad from a few scattered places across a large area. We don't know if there are specific threats to this species. However, it's likely affected by forest loss. This happens when forests are cut down or cleared.
Forests are lost because of farming, animals grazing, and people building homes. Wildfires can also destroy their habitat. The good news is that the sooty toad lives in Upemba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It probably lives in other protected areas too.
