Phrynoidis juxtasper

Giant River Toad

                                                                                       

Phrynoidis juxtaspera is one of the two river toads. It can get as big as a small rabbit (males up to 120 mm, females 215 mm snout-vent length). The warts have thoroughly keratinized apices. The warts behind the eyes (parotic glands) are thick and long (smaller and a more broken up in Phrynoidis aspera). 

The toads secrete large amounts of highly toxic, milky poison from their warts when molested. Not only skin secretions of adults but also eggs and tadpoles are poisonous. Adult males 70–100 mm snout-vent length, females 95–140 mm.

Large specimens are hunted for food in some areas: the toad is skinned, washed, and cooked.

The toad has extensive webbing between toes and is a good swimmer; strong legs make it a good jumper as well.

The tadpoles are small, black, and live in stream and have a suckermouth with which they can cling to rocks. We cannot show you images of tadpoles of this species at this point.