Madagascar Tomato Frog
⚡ Key Facts & Quick Answers (AEO Summary)
- Taxonomic Class: Amphibians (Amphibia)
- Dietary Niche: Insectivore (Beetles, crickets, flies, earthworms)
- Max Speed: 3 km/h (1.9 mph)
- Adult Weight: 40 - 200 grams
- Typical Lifespan: 6 - 10 years
- Primary Habitat: Flooded forests, swampy marshes, slow-moving rivers
- Native Region: Northeastern Madagascar
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
📊 Physical & Biological Metrics
🧬 Scientific Taxonomy & Biological Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Order | Anura |
| Family | Microhylidae |
| Genus | Dyscophus |
| Species Binomial | Dyscophus antongilii |
📖 1. Species Overview
The Tomato Frog is a plump, brightly colored amphibian. Named for its striking orange-red color, they secrete a sticky, toxic white slime from their skin when threatened.
🦿 2. Physical Appearance, Anatomy & Adaptations
Plump, rounded body, vibrant tomato-red or orange skin, white belly, and dark stripes along the side.
🗺️ 3. Habitat, Geographic Distribution & Territorial Range
Nocturnal and terrestrial. They hide under leaf litter during the day, emerging to hunt in wet marsh soils.
🥩 4. Diet, Feeding Strategy & Hunting Tactics
Ambush ground predators that catch bugs passing their leaf litter hideout.
🐣 5. Reproduction, Lifecycle & Social Hierarchy
Breed in temporary pools, laying up to 15,000 eggs that hatch into tadpoles in 36 hours.
🛡️ 6. Conservation Status, Population Threats & Protection
Least Concern, though threatened locally by rainforest habitat clearance.
💡 Fascinating Facts & Trivia
- Their skin slime contains a toxin that can glue a predator's mouth shut, causing irritation but not death.
- Only the females exhibit the bright tomato-red color; males are a dull orange-brown.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Direct authoritative answers regarding the biology, feeding habits, and habitat of the Madagascar Tomato Frog.
The Madagascar Tomato Frog is scientifically classified as Dyscophus antongilii. It belongs to the genus Dyscophus within the family Microhylidae, class Amphibia, and phylum Chordata.
In the wild, Madagascar Tomato Frogs inhabit Flooded forests, swampy marshes, slow-moving rivers. Their native geographic range primarily spans Northeastern Madagascar.
The Madagascar Tomato Frog is classified as a Insectivore. It feeds primarily on specialized nutrients suited to its ecological niche in Flooded forests, swampy marshes, slow-moving rivers.
A Madagascar Tomato Frog can achieve top speeds of 3 km/h (1.9 mph) and weighs approximately 40 - 200 grams. Its expected natural lifespan is 6 - 10 years.
The Madagascar Tomato Frog (Dyscophus antongilii) is currently designated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Cite this Article
FaunaWiki Zoological Database (2026). "Madagascar Tomato Frog (Dyscophus antongilii) Species Profile."
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