Red Toad

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Schismaderma carens

While naturally occurring in savanna and woodland habitats and breeding in deep, permanent pools of water, the Red Toad is often found close to human habitations, no doubt finding the bounty of insects attracted by outside lighting very attractive. Being rather large amphibians at about 10cm in length, they’re surprisingly adept at climbing and will even shelter under the roofs of houses. They are active by night and sometimes during the day, especially in overcast conditions.

Females may lay as many as 20,000 eggs while mating, which takes place after good rains have fallen between September and March. The tadpoles’ metamorphosis is complete by the time they’re two months old.

In South Africa, Red Toads are to be found in the provinces of Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng and North-West, and north of our borders they occur into Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania and the southern DRC. The IUCN lists the Red Toad as being of least concern.

Red Toad at the Waterfall Safari Lodge
Red Toad
Red Toad at home outside our cottage
Red Toad
Red Toad
Red Toad
Red Toad
Red Toad
Red Toads hunt around the ablution blocks at night
Red Toads hunt around the ablution blocks at night
Red Toads hunt around the ablution blocks at night
Red Toad

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