About Schismaderma carens (Smith, 1848)
The African red toad, scientifically named Schismaderma carens (Smith, 1848), is a fairly large toad species. Adult individuals reach a snout-to-vent length of approximately 90 millimetres (3.5 inches), and females are slightly larger than males. The upper body surface is reddish-brown, with one pair of dark brown spots on the shoulders and a second pair on the lower back. A glandular dorso-lateral ridge runs from the tympanum to the back leg, and the outer portion of this ridge has a darker lower edge. Flank color varies among individuals: some have dark flanks, while others have pale flanks. This toad is native to the southern half of Africa. Its range extends from Tanzania and southern Kenya, through the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo and eastern Angola, and continues southward to South Africa. It can be found in multiple different habitat types, including grassland, wooded savannah, and agricultural land. It breeds in deep lakes, ponds, and pools.
