Tandy's torrent toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tandy's torrent toad |
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Bufo tandyi Amiet, 1972 |
Werneria tandyi, also known as Tandy's torrent toad or Tandy's smalltongue toad, is a special type of toad. It belongs to the Bufonidae family, which includes many kinds of toads. This toad lives only in western Cameroon, a country in Africa. You can find it around Mount Manengouba and the Rumpi Hills. The name tandyi was given to honor Robert Mills Tandy. He was a biologist, a scientist who studied reptiles and amphibians, and a wildlife photographer.
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What Does Tandy's Torrent Toad Look Like?
Tandy's torrent toad is a slender toad. Male toads grow to about 35 millimeters (1.4 inches) long. Female toads are a bit bigger, reaching about 41 millimeters (1.6 inches) long. This measurement is from their snout (nose) to their vent (bottom).
Body Features
The toad's head is straight and pointed. It does not have Parotoid glands, which are glands often found behind the eyes of other toads. It also lacks tympani, which are like eardrums on the outside of the head. The toad's toes have small traces of webbing.
Colors and Patterns
The back of the toad is a dark chocolate-brown color. Its sides are very dark brown to black. Thin, white lines run along its back, separating the dark sides from the brown back. These lines are very clear. The underside of the toad, called the venter, is light brown or yellowish-gray. It has tiny white or yellow spots.
Where Does Tandy's Torrent Toad Live?
Tandy's torrent toad lives near fast-flowing streams. These streams are found in submontane forests. Submontane means "below the mountains." It also lives in areas where forests have been changed by humans. These toads live at elevations from 1,000 to 1,750 meters (3,280 to 5,740 feet) above sea level.
Life by the Water
During the breeding season, many toads gather together. They are often found on rocks in the splash zone of waterfalls. This is the area where water splashes from the waterfall. The baby toads, called tadpoles, grow and develop in these streams.
Why Is Tandy's Torrent Toad Endangered?
Tandy's torrent toad used to be common on Mount Manengouba. However, no one has seen it there since 2010. This decline is similar to what has happened to other amphibians in mountain areas. These declines are often caused by a disease called chytridiomycosis. This is a fungal disease that affects amphibians. Scientists are still studying if this disease is the main cause for Tandy's torrent toad.
Threats to Their Home
Only one Tandy's torrent toad has ever been seen in the Rumpi Hills. The species is also in danger because of habitat loss. This means their forest homes are disappearing. Forests are being cut down for farming and for human settlements. There is a chance that this toad lives in the Rumpi Hills Wildlife Reserve. This reserve is a protected area, which could help the toads survive.
