Black-and-yellow Walking Toad
Melanophryniscus stelzneri
Melanophryniscus stelzneri, commonly known as the bumblebee toad or black-and-yellow walking toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae which is endemic to Argentina and is harvested for the pet trade. Two subspecies are recognized.
From the article Melanophryniscus stelzneri on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), quoted section by section
Description
Melanophryniscus stelzneri grows to about 3.8 cm (1.5 in), with females typically being larger than males.
Range & habitat
They were first discovered in Córdoba, Argentina. They are currently known from the Córdoba, San Luis, and Salta Provinces of Argentina. Their range may also extend into Bolivia. They occur in grasslands with rocky outcrops. Reproduction takes place in shallow ponds, streams, bogs, and even roadside ditches.
Wikipedia: “Distribution andhabitat”
What it does
Melanophryniscus are toxic in the wild. Their natural diet is made up of mites and ants. It is believed that the toxins are created from alkaloids found in their natural diet. The brightly colored pattern is an example of aposematism. In captivity, they become non-toxic.
Wikipedia: “Diet and toxicity”
In human culture
The specific name stelzneri honors Alfred Wilhelm Stelzner, a German geologist who spent some time in Argentina.
Wikipedia: “Etymology”
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Where it lives
Recorded sightings
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geo-referenced records in GBIF, from museums, herbaria and field observers.
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Every page naming Melanophryniscus stelzneri in the Biodiversity Heritage Library →
This page is assembled live from iNaturalist, GBIF, Wikipedia, the Source Library and the Internet Archive. It is not yet part of the hand-edited codex. iNaturalist taxon 21775.