About Tomopterna delalandii (Tschudi, 1838)
Tomopterna delalandii is a robust species that has a toad-like appearance and gait. Females of this species can grow up to 50 mm (2.0 in) in snout–vent length. It has a broad head, large bulging eyes, and relatively short legs. There are no discs on the fingers or toes, but the toes have partial webbing. The upper body shows variable colouration ranging from light grey to dark brown, and it usually has a mottled pattern along with a pale patch between the shoulders. A pale vertebral stripe is also usually present, and there is often a pale stripe on each side of the body. Males have a dark throat. The male advertisement call of this species is a sequence of short ringing notes, produced at a rate of around 6–8 notes per second. This species occurs in fynbos heath land and succulent karroo shrubland, and it can also inhabit agricultural land. Breeding occurs in both temporary and semi-permanent water bodies located in pans, pools, vleis and dams, situated in flat, sandy areas. Tomopterna delalandii is a very abundant species that is found in multiple protected areas. Locally, it can be threatened by habitat loss caused by the spread of alien vegetation, as well as agricultural and urban expansion.
