| Crested Forest Toad (Rhinella margaritifera (Laurenti, 1768)) |
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Scientific name: Rhinella margaritifera (Laurenti, 1768) Common name: Crested Forest Toad Other names: South American Common Toad. Old scientific names: Bufo margaritifer and Bufo typhonius. French name: Crapaud perlé, Crapaud-feuille. Order: Anura Family: Bufonidae Size: 31 to 81 mm. Habitat: On the ground in the litter under primary forests or secondary forests. It is used to perching on trunks next to water or to spend the night. Food: Insects (mainly ants and termites), springtails and other arthropods found among the litter. Reproduction: The eggs are laid in flooded areas or in temporary pools. The amplexus is axillary, that's to say the male grasps the female in the armpits with its front legs. It deposit its sperm onto the eggs while they are being laid. Geographic area: Amazon Basin in South America. |
The Rhinella margaritifera scientific name covers several species which are difficult to differentiate, we should say Rhinella of the margaritifera group. Several studies are on going and about 16 different species are already known. The Crested Forest Toad is rather variable in colour with mainly dark colours providing a good camouflage among the litter. The colour of its back is adapted to the particularities of the habitat. It is sometimes marked with a pale longitudinal line. There is a strong sexual dimorphism. Females show a well marked crest on the upper side and on the back side of the eyes. This gives her the appearance of a leaf. The iris is a golden colour. Unlike most of the members of the Bufonidae family which are active during the night, the Crested Forest Toad is active during the day. |
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I have shot this picture along the footpath starting from the Communal Hut on the Track of Sainte Élie. I think that the lack of crest indicates one male. |
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This side view shows the golden iris. |
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I have shot this picture on the mountain of Kaw where I went in order to try to see Guianan Cock-of-the-rocks (but without any success). This male shows a well marked white dorsal line. |
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I have shot this picture while walking along the Monts-la-Fumée footpath near the small village of Saül. This female shows a less uniform colour than most of the other specimens I have observed. |
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Here is another observation done while walking along the Monts-la-Fumée footpath near the small village of Saül. This female is really the same colour as the litter. It is very difficult to detect when it stays perfectly immobile. |
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Here is a closer view. |
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Close up view of the front of the head. You can clearly see the crest above each eye. |
André Bon October 2014