Amphibian
Amphibian
Surinam Toad
Pipa pipa
The Surinam Toad is a bizarre, entirely aquatic, flattened frog best known for its extraordinary reproduction: fertilised eggs become embedded in pits on the female's back, where they develop directly into fully formed toadlets without a free-swimming tadpole stage.
The Surinam Toad is a bizarre, entirely aquatic, flattened frog best known for its extraordinary reproduction: fertilised eggs become embedded in pits on the female's back, where they develop directly into fully formed toadlets without a free-swimming tadpole stage.
Identification
A remarkably flattened, almost leaf-like body with a triangular head, tiny lidless eyes, and star-shaped sensory tips on the fingers (rather than eyes) used to detect prey and navigate murky water by touch. Adults can reach up to 20 cm, among the largest members of the family Pipidae, and lack a visible tongue, swallowing prey with a sudden gaping motion that draws food and water into the mouth.
Ecology
Fully aquatic, spending its entire life in slow, muddy, or leaf-littered water, ambushing small fish and invertebrates by lying motionless before lunging with its wide mouth. During mating, the pair performs looping underwater somersaults during which eggs are pressed into the female's spongy back skin, where they become embedded in individual pits, sealed over, and develop through to fully formed young rather than passing through a free-swimming tadpole stage, an unusual and highly specialised form of parental care among amphibians.
In Trinidad and Tobago
Occurs in slow, still freshwater bodies in Trinidad, though it is rarely encountered due to its cryptic, bottom-dwelling, fully aquatic habits and near-perfect camouflage against leaf litter and mud.
Threats
- Wetland habitat loss
- Water pollution
