About Sclerophrys pantherina (Smith, 1828)
The western leopard toad, scientifically named Sclerophrys pantherina, is a toad species belonging to the family Bufonidae. This species is endemic to low-lying areas of the Cape Peninsula, the Cape Flats, and the Agulhas flats in the Western Cape of South Africa. Two large macro-populations of this toad exist, which are broadly categorized as the Cape Town cluster and the Overberg cluster. The toad's natural foraging habitat is Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, which falls within several specific vegetation types: Cape Flats Sand Plain Fynbos and Cape Flats Dune Strandveld. This species is not restricted to living only in undisturbed, pristine habitat. Much of its historical feeding ground is now located within residential suburbs, so western leopard toads are often found living in suburban gardens. Its breeding habitats include swamps, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, urban riverine watercourses, natural ponds, and garden ponds.
