Page 23 - Amphibian

DISAPPEARING TRICK
Away from their natural habitats,
some amphibians appear far too
highly colored to ever possibly
camouflage themselves safely.
This Oriental fire-bellied toad
looks like a toy model, painted in
bright, enamel colors. Yet, with the
brighter colors submerged in its
natural surroundings – a duckweed-
covered pond – this gaudy little toad is at Oriental
least as difficult to see as the more subtly fire-bellied toad
colored panther toad.

STONE FROGS
These Asian painted frogs
show another aspect of
camouflage coloration
and behavior. This
burrowing frog will
dig itself into soft
earth, moss, or leaf
litter, with which it
blends in very well. Spot the
However, much of its Oriental fire-
time may be spent bellied toad
underground, emerging to in duckweed
breed only at the start of the
rainy season. Its smooth, wet
skin and mottled colors help it
blend in with a range of features –
wet leaves, pebbles, and fallen trees.

Male Asian painted frog

EASILY SEEN
Against a plain background,
this same panther toad (left)
is easily seen. All camouflaged
animals have to be very careful
not to move onto a background
where they can be readily spotted –
otherwise the advantage is
instantly lost.

Panther toad

Female
Asian painted
frog is fatter and
full of eggs

CLOSE MATCH
Some species may closely
match details of objects in
their environment or have
subtleties of shading, marking,
or coloring on the skin surfaces of
their backs. The markings on the SHARED STRATEGY
skin of this yellow-bellied toad Camouflage is important
match the small, dark marks to the soldier and to the
commonly found on bark, in amphibian for the same
leaf mold, or in soft earth. reason – it enables both
The small patches of color to live in a hostile
help to disrupt the toad’s world, by providing
Yellow-bellied shape and almost a certain amount of
toad on bark Yellow-bellied toad completely hide its body. personal protection.