Bufonidae
Bufonidae includes the true toad and related species. There are 55 species in Peru, 7 in
the Madre de Dios department and 11 in the Manu area of which we include 4 species
in this guide. They are usually dull, except the colorful Atelopus species, and medium to
large sized, although some species, such as Amazophrynella minuta, are tiny. They have
thick, warty skins and short limbs. Toads have parotoid glands in the back of the head,
which can produce toxin substances when threatened, in some cases such as the cane
toad these toxins are very poisonous. They do not have expanded toe pads and they
usually have some webbing between the toes.
Bufonidae
They are mostly terrestrial and move by hopping, but some species of Rhinella and
Atelopus are arboreal. Toad species are generally common and easily found, but the
Harlequin Toads from the genus Atelopus are highly endangered, principally due to the
chytrid fungus disease. Their eggs and tadpoles develop in the water, where the female
lays the eggs as strings.
Rhaebo guttatus