Red Toad

Description:

this toad species is typically 8-9cm and is rather smooth with only narrow ear glands for a toad. The two brown spots on the middle of the back help to identify the species. The general red appearance suggests it is a female, the male is more grey-green above with some red along the lateral lines. The call of the male is a distinctive very deep and slow 'booom' and is uttered from a floating position

Habitat:

In Botswana this frog is restricted to the eastern edge of the country plus a small area along the Chobe River in the extreme north. It prefers places with permanent water but not necessarily large volumes. The climate in this region is hot and dry with summer rainfall (450-500mm p.a.) arriving as summer showers and storms. The vegetation is bush / tree savannah.

Notes:

This particular individual lives under the bookcase in my living room and comes out in the evening, when it thinks no-one is looking, to gorge on beetles under an external light - that's why it's so fat !! It's permanent water source is a low trough (2.5 x .25m or 8' x 18") which started out as the dogs water trough but has since become a little aquatic oasis full of weed, water bugs and tadpoles, in season. The only disadvantage is that it is located rather close to our bedroom window and gets a little noisy during the frog & toad breeding season