What kind of frog is the Southern midwife toad?

The Southern midwife toad is adapted to the relatively dry environment of the southeastern Spanish mountains. They are nocturnal, spending the day hidden under rocks or in burrows, and becoming active at night. Their diet mainly consists of insects, spiders, and earthworms.

How do Southern midwife toads reproduce?

The breeding season for Southern midwife toads is from autumn to winter. Males emit a soft, charming call, "kuk-kuk-kuk," to attract females. After mating, the female lays her eggs on the male's hind legs. The male carries the eggs on his back for about a month until they hatch, protecting them from harm. When the eggs are ready to hatch, the male goes to a water source and releases the eggs into the water. The tadpoles then live and grow in the water.

Are Southern midwife toads endangered?

The Southern midwife toad is facing a decline in population due to habitat loss, pollution, and climate change, and is listed as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Their habitat in the southeastern Spanish mountains is under pressure from development and increasing aridity, further threatening their survival.

Animal Article

Southern Midwife Toad

In the mountainous regions of southeastern Spain, the Southern midwife toad, a small and devoted father, makes its home. These frogs exhibit a unique parenting behavior where the male carries the eggs on his back. Let's discover the resilience of these creatures as they navigate the challenges of their environment and perpetuate life!