About Sclerophrys regularis (Reuss, 1833)
The African common toad, Sclerophrys regularis, is a large, sturdy toad with warty skin. Males reach a snout-to-vent length of 62 to 91 mm (2.4 to 3.6 inches), while females grow to 70 to 130 mm (2.8 to 5.1 inches). It has large paratoid glands that are either parallel or kidney-shaped, and males have a single vocal sac under the chin. Its dorsal surface is dark olive-brown with dark patches on the back, which are often arranged fairly symmetrically. Young individuals have a paler band running along the spine. Smaller dark blotches appear on the upper lip and eyelids, and the warts on the flanks are often separated by dark markings. Male toads have black throats, and the underparts of both sexes range from white to beige. The call of this species is a rattling sound made of two pulses that lasts approximately 0.9 seconds. When threatened, this toad bounces to confuse predators or escape, and it will also move through water. It has webbed hind feet to help propel it through water. The African common toad is an abundant species that occurs in moist and dry savanna, montane grassland, forest margins, and agricultural habitats. It is often found near rivers, where it also breeds. It is not a true forest species, but it can still be found in degraded habitats and towns (including gardens) within the forest zone. In drier regions, it is replaced by other species such as Amietophrynus garmani and Amietophrynus xeros.
