Liberty Science Center

 

Surinam Toad

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Common Name: Surinam Toads

Scientific Name: Pipa pipa

Range: Northern South America.

Habitat: Slow-moving rivers.

Size: They grow to 6-8 inches long and less than 3/4 inch tall.

Diet: Small fish, amphibians, worms and other aquatic invertebrates.

Interesting Facts:

Surinam toads are completely misnamed! They're really frogs. Actually, all toads are frogs. People often use the term "toad" when referring to frogs that have stubby bodies, short hind legs and warty, dry skin. "Frogs" -- at least the varieties that get recognized as such -- have strong, long, webbed hind feet adapted for leaping and swimming, along with smooth or slimy skin.

Surinam toads take parenting very seriously; the female carries her babies in specialized pouches on her back. The eggs are planted there and stay in the protective pores of the female’s thick skin until they hatch.


The skin closes over the top of the embedded eggs, which develop into froglets. These young froglets then push their way through the thin layer of skin covering them up and appear to hatch directly from the back of the female as fully developed but miniature Surinam toads.