SURINAM TOAD

ORDER

Anura

FAMILY

Pipidae

HABITAT AND RANGE

They live in the neotropic regions of South America, in ponds.

IDENTIFICATION

They are 6-8 inches in length, and vary in color from gray-brown to black.

DIET

Their preferred food is fish.

REPRODUCTION AND LIFESPAN

Their breeding is stimulated by rising water levels and lower water temperatures. The female lays up to 100 eggs, which are fertilized by the male, and distributed along the female’s back. The eggs stay there for up to 20 weeks, until they hatch.

NOTES

• Their young are born with no gills or tail, because they have already been reabsorbed during the development period on their mother’s back
• They prefer to live in oxygen deficient water, even if it is polluted