Points

40

per confirmed sighting

AmphibianConservation status: Least ConcernVery Rare to spot
amphibians • Bufonidae

Flat-backed Toad.

F

Sclerophrys pusilla

Category

amphibians

Family

Bufonidae

Size

Adults reach about 65–80 mm snout–vent length; southern African field material records individuals up to about 80 mm.

Points

40 pts

Log a sighting

A closer look

Field notes for spotting, identifying and understanding flat-backed toad in its natural range.

Overview

How to identify it

Habitat

Widespread in savanna and lowveld grassland. Breeding is strongly associated with rivers and streams, shallow inlets, rock pools, periodic brooks and other shallow slow-moving or temporary water; adults also forage away from water in savanna and gallery-forest habitat.

Diet

Adults feed mainly on ants, with beetles and winged termites also recorded.

Behaviour

When to look

Breeding activity is seasonal in much of southern Africa; in Kruger National Park it is recorded mainly from September to January. Calling may occur by day or night.

Where to see it

South Africa flagSouth AfricaNamibia flagNamibiaBotswana flagBotswanaZimbabwe flagZimbabweZambia flagZambiaMozambique flagMozambiqueEswatini flagEswatiniLesotho flagLesothoMalawi flagMalawiAngola flagAngola

Safety and etiquette

Observe from a safe distance and never handle or feed wildlife.

Verification and sources

1500 verified species across ten Southern African countries. Spotted an error? Tell us through community guidelines.