Sunday, May 27, 2012


Animals Unique | African Tree Toad Unique | African Tree Toad Classification and Evolution
The African Tree Toad is a small species of Toad found in the forests of Central Africa. Today, little is still known about this tiny amphibian population and the constantly decreasing numbers of the African Tree Toad are making it increasingly difficult, for us to learn more about them. There are two known subspecies of the African Tree Toad, the which are the African Tree Toad and the Bates' Tree Toad. African Tree Toad Both species are of similar size and color but growing niche to differ in the geographical regions They Inhabit.
African Tree Toad Anatomy and Appearance
The African Tree Toad is Generally dark to light brown in color, with white patches on it's belly Toad and like other species, the African Tree Toad the which has specially designed foot aid it's semi-aquatic lifestyle and tree climbing. The African Tree Toad is a terrestrial animal and uses it's toes to also help it to hop about on the ground. The toes of the African Tree Toad are long and thin, with sticky, round discs on the tips. Widely spread these digits enable this Toad to grip onto a larger surface area. The tiny striped body of the African Tree Toad Grows up 3.8cm in length making these animals particularly hard to spot amongst the debris on the forest floor.

African Tree Toad Distribution and Habitat
The African Tree Toad is said to be distributed across it's natural range in Central African countries Such as Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Nigeria. Despite this though, there are very few records of this elusive amphibian That meaning much of it's distribution (and indeed population size) is simply Presumed. The natural habitat of the African Tree Toad is subtropical or tropical moist, Lowland forests and Heavily degraded former forest, where there is a plentiful water supply. Today however, the African Tree Toad is Generally restricted to Taller forests.

African Tree Toad Behaviour and Lifestyle
Like other Toads, the African Tree Toad is a semi-aquatic animal, although it is most commonly found in water when the female is laying her eggs. In a similar way to other tropical Toads, the African Tree Toad spends much of it's life walking, hopping or running about on the ground where it is Able to find plenty of food and water. When darkness falls however, the African Tree Toad retreats high into the surrounding vegetation to REMAIN safe during the night from ground-dwelling predators. The color and markings of Their skin, Gives the African Tree Toad camouflage amongst the surrounding forest, again giving it extra defense from hungry predators.

African Tree Toad Reproduction and Life Cycles
Little is really known about the reproduction of the African Tree Toad besides the fact That female African Tree Toads are known to lay up to 200 sticky eggs in small bodies of water found in hollow tree cavities. Spawning These sites are then guarded by the male African Tree Toad until the eggs hatch into tiny tadpoles. It is unknown what the tadpoles feed on, but once developed, They hop out of Their watery nest in the tree and begin hunting for food in the forest. African Tree Toads in captivity usually live until three or four They are years old but nothing is known about Their lifespan in the wild.

African Tree Toad Diet and Prey
The African Tree Toad is a Carnivorous amphibian That shoots it's long, sticky tongue out of it's mouth at incredible speeds to catch and secure it's prey. This also helps the Toad to hold onto it's catch whilst it is Trying to eat it. The African Tree Toad primarily small invertebrates Hunts Including Insects, Worms and Spiders That Scuttle amongst the debris on the forest floor. In a similar way to other Toad species, it is thought That the African Tree Toad sits in silence, waiting for lunch to pass by, before catching it with lighting speed.

African Tree Toad Predators and Threats
Due to its small size, the African Tree Toad is believed to have Numerous predators within it's warm and wet, woodland environment. Fish, Birds, Lizards, Snakes, rodents and other, larger amphibians Frogs and Toads like are all thought to be common predators of the African Tree Toad. The largest threat to the African assumed Tree Toad is habitat loss in the form of deforestation and, to a lesser extent, both air and water pollution in their natural habitats. Little is known however about the direct affects of habitat loss on the species as a whole.

African Tree Toad Interesting Facts and Features
Very little is known about the African Tree Toad, as only a handful of records exist throughout it's very limited range, and there are in fact no records confirm it's existence That through much of it's so-called natural habitat. It is simply just assumed That the African Tree Toad exists in these areas.

African Tree Toad Relationship with Humans
Although having been studied on a small scale by people, Relatively little is still known about this tiny Toad. They have however been known to be INVOLVED in the exotic pet trade. The small size of the African Tree Toad makes them very hard to spot in their native habitats That meaning the affect of human activity on the Toads in these areas is still unknown. Deforestation through much of Their natural range, along with growing industry, rising levels of pollution Causing, are thought to be Causing the Tree Toad African population to decline.

African Tree Toad Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, the African tree toad is rarely seen in the African forests but it has been classified as a species of Least Concern That Is Becoming of extinct in the near future. This is however, presumably based on Their wide distribution throughout Central Africa, Despite the fact That They are only known to actually exist in a handful of these areas. It is Widely assumed That the African Tree Toad Populations are in decline.

African Tree Toad Unique Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Nectophryne
Scientific Name: Nectophryne afra
Type: Amphibian
Diet: Carnivore
Size (L): 2.5cm - 3.8cm (1in - 1.5in)
Weight: 2g - 5g (0.07oz - 0.18oz)
Top Speed: 8km / h (5mph)
Life Span: 3-5 years
Lifestyle: Solitary
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Colour: Brown, Black, White, Tan
Skin Type: Permeable
Location: Central Africa
Habitat: Lowland Tropical Forest
Average Spawn Size: 100
Prey: Insects, Worms, snails
Predators: Fish, Toads, Birds
Distinctive Features: Small body size and webbed feet

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