Common Surinam toad

For other species of toads in the same genus, see Pipa (frog).

Common Surinam toad
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Pipidae
Genus: Pipa
Species:
P. pipa
Binomial name
Pipa pipa
Surinam toad range.[1]
Synonyms
  • Rana pipa Linnaeus, 1758
  • Pipa americana Laurenti, 1768

The common Surinam toad, the Suriname toad, or star-fingered toad (Pipa pipa), is a fully-aquatic species of frog, in the family Pipidae, with a widespread range across much of tropical South America and the island of Trinidad.[2] The females of this species are well-known for "incubating" their eggs on their backs, in honeycomb-like depressions directly within the skin, releasing fully-formed froglets after a period of 4–5 months. Pipa pipa is an ambush predator, lying in-wait underwater for prey to inevitably wander too close, swiftly inhaling the unsuspecting creature using suction feeding. Additionally, the Surinam toad's rather flat body shape, combined with rather dark, dull coloration, serves as effective camouflage in the murky waters they inhabit, perfectly mimicking a dead leaf or piece of rotting wood as they await their next meal.

  1. ^ a b IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2015). "Pipa pipa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T58163A61414791. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T58163A61414791.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Observations • iNaturalist". June 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)