Peninsula Mountain Toad by Oliver Angus, Public Domain, via iNaturalist
Hey kids, welcome back to our series on the mysteries of created kinds.
Last week, we met a colorful group of crowned birds you might see in your backyard. This week, we leave the US and move to South Africa, looking for a group of tiny toads.
Very little information exists on this kind. There are five species, all found in South Africa. Most species are found on mountain slopes in isolated populations.1 Different members of the genus live on different mountains and rarely interact with each other.2 Breeding occurs in short-term pools with males competing to fertilize the eggs of females.3 Females only go to the pools to lay eggs, then they leave. The parents do not care for the eggs, and they hatch in about two weeks.
Has anyone figured it out yet? This week’s kind is the Capensibufo—the Cape Toad kind. This kind is rather scarce in South Africa and is declining. Hopefully, the biologists in South Africa will be able to stabilize their populations. Next week, we head to Australia looking for a group of geckos with some unique features for geckos.
Your clue for the week is:
Unlike most geckos, these geckos lack toe pads, instead using claws to hold on to things.
Have you ever had a question about created kinds but didn’t know who to ask? Have you ever wanted to learn more about your favorite kind? Well, now you can! You can ask me, Inspector Barry Mins, a question! Have your parents help you fill out this form, and you might get your question answered in my column! If you have any questions about created kinds, feel free to send them my way!