Vietnamese Mountain Toad (Ingerophrynus Galeatus)

The Vietnamese mountain toad, or helmet-headed toad (Ingerophrynus galeatus), lives in dense primary mountain forests, teeming with streams. It eats a variety of invertebrates: both small and large. In females, developed parotids transform into powerful bony outgrowths on the head, forming high ridges. The sides and legs are covered with thorns. A rare species listed in the Red Book of Vietnam.

Area

Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Kampuchea (up to 1300 m above sea level).

Appearance

Vietnamese mountain toad: in females, developed parotids transform into powerful bony outgrowths on the head, forming high ridges. The sides and legs are covered with thorns.

Color

The back and head of the toad are chocolate brown, the sides are brick red, the belly is gray, with streaks. Males are more modestly colored.

Photo © Scott Trageser

The size

Females grow up to 11 cm, males up to 4-5 cm.

Habitat

Primary mountain forests with dense vegetation and abundant streams.

Nutrition / food

The Vietnamese mountain toad eats a variety of invertebrates, both small and large.

Related article Contents of the Vietnamese mountain toad (Ingerophrynus galeatus)

Reproduction

During the breeding season, the Vietnamese mountain toad gathers near clear streams, where it chooses small shallow backwaters with calm water and a gravel bottom. Males, more often sitting in the water, call the females with melodious, characteristic cries. 10-12 hours before spawning, the female with the male on her back goes into the water, where she stays until the end of spawning, immediately after which she gets out on the shore and begins to feed. The eggs are laid by long gelatinous cords, which are wrapped around pitfalls and contain 2500-3000 at first gray, but rapidly blackening eggs with a diameter of about 2.5 mm. In a day, the sheath of the cords swells, and the eggs sink to the bottom.

Breeding season

The breeding season is in March-May. When kept in captivity, there may be several clutches per year.

Photo © Scott Trageser

Incubation

The eggs are incubated during the day.

Development:

The larvae of the Vietnamese mountain toad are flat lanceolate, hanging on the walls of the reservoir and stones. On the third day, the larvae of the Vietnamese mountain toad begin to swim, and on the sixth day, they feed. In future females (at the age of 1 month), outgrowths on the head are clearly visible, the tuberosity of the skin is more pronounced.