Frog of the Week: Great Plains Narrow-Mouthed Toad

Why would such a small frog have an even smaller mouth??

Although in reality a frog, this microhylid, Gastrophryne olivacea, is terrestrial and so is often referred to as a toad. Microhylids are a family of frogs that are mostly smaller than an inch and a half.

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You can clearly see why these are called “micro” hylids. Source.

This small frog is found all over the southwestern U.S., as far south as Texas. As you can see, they have flattened bodies with pointy noses. Note also the wrinkle behind their eyes, which they share with other microhylids, but is relatively rare in frog species.

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These two frogs are in amplexus (mating position)–the male secretes a special glue from his belly to help him hold on.

They secrete a toxin that is very painful if gotten into the eyes. Since the frog eats mostly ants, it has been hypothesized that the toxin was meant to protect the frog from ant bites, which I know from experience are very painful!

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The frog is well-camouflaged for its preferred habitat of decaying leaves and rocky areas. Source.

(Title image.)

Author: Swim Claude

Frogs are pretty great.

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