It is a large and robust amphibian, with a stout body and thick, warty skin, usually colored in brownish to grayish tones that provide effective camouflage. It has well-developed parotoid glands behind the eyes, which secrete toxic substances as a defense mechanism. The head is broad with prominent eyes and horizontal pupils; males are generally smaller than females and develop nuptial pads on the hands during the breeding season.
Geographic distribution: It is widely distributed across central and southern South America, occurring in Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and northern to central Argentina. It is common in Chaco regions, river basins, and transitional open landscapes.
Habitat: It occupies a wide range of terrestrial habitats, including savannas, grasslands, open forests, gallery forests, and rural and urban areas. It shows high tolerance to human disturbance, provided that suitable water bodies are available for breeding.
Diet: It is an opportunistic predator, feeding mainly on insects, arachnids, mollusks, and other invertebrates, and occasionally small vertebrates. Its broad diet allows it to thrive under diverse environmental conditions.
Behavior: It is primarily nocturnal, becoming especially active after rainfall. During the day, it remains hidden in shelters. When threatened, it may inflate its body and release toxic secretions from the parotoid glands as a deterrent.
Reproduction: Reproduction is aquatic, taking place in ponds, puddles, ditches, and lagoons. Females lay long strings of eggs, which hatch into tadpoles with relatively rapid development. The reproductive cycle is closely linked to rainfall and temperature.
Conservation status: It is classified as Least Concern globally due to its wide distribution, large populations, and adaptability, although locally it may be affected by pollution and road mortality.
Author of this compilation: EcoRegistros – 15/12/2025