Sambava tomato frog

Dyscophus guineti

Tomato frogs are adapted to the seasonal rainfall in their natural habitat in Madagascar. Rain plays a particularly important role in their reproduction.

Red List

Least Concern

Tomato frogs are ground-dwelling. They come in a variety of colours, ranging from orange-red to reddish-brown and dark red.

The females grow to a length of up to nine centimetres; the males are slightly smaller.

During the dry season, they burrow into the soft ground to hibernate. During the rainy season, they become active again. The patter of raindrops triggers their reproductive behaviour.

The males gather at waterholes and begin to call. The animals make use of temporary, mostly stagnant bodies of water. In built-up areas, they can even be found in drainage ditches.

Taxonomy

Microhylidae, tomato frogs (Dyscophus, 3 species)

Habitat

wetlands, ditches and bodies of water at altitudes of 600 to 900 metres above sea level

Behaviour and ecology

nocturnal, ground-dwelling

Diet

insects, snails, worms, amphibians, small mammals