Amphibians · Anura · Bufonidae

Spotted Toad

Rhaebo guttatus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The spotted toad is one of the largest toads in the world, with females exceeding twenty centimetres. It lives on the floor of the Amazon rainforest and is a voracious predator of invertebrates and small vertebrates. It has an uncommon defensive mechanism: it can project the venom from its parotoid glands at a distance.

Size

12 cm – 25 cm

Lifespan

15 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

RainforestFreshwaterCarnivore Nocturnal Solitary Amphibian Rainforest Freshwater

8countries7same family

Fun facts

It spits venom: unlike most toads, which only release toxins when bitten, this one can shoot the contents of its parotoid glands in an aimed jet of more than a metre, targeting the attacker's eyes.
It is one of the largest toads on the planet: the females exceed twenty centimetres and are notably bigger than the males.
Amazonian indigenous peoples tell it clearly apart from the cane toad, and in several cultures properties are attributed to it connected with its toxins, which are considerably potent.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (amphibian)
Habitat & environment: Floor of primary rainforest of Amazonia and the Guiana Shield
Sexual maturity: 2 years
Gestation / incubation: Larval development in rainforest pools and streams
Litter / clutch size: 5000 eggs

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhaebo_guttatus