#garlic toad

today's funky frog of the day: the garlic toad (Pelobates fuscus)!!!!!!!!! they're also known as the spadefoot toad. their skin coloration and pattern can vary based on where they're located - their habitat is quite extensive, ranging from western asia to central europe! also, they have soulful eyes.

Pelobates fuscus

Pelobates mud one that haunts because of their emergence after heavy rains, while fuscus means dusky or brown. They are called common spadefoots because of their shovel shaped feet that help them dig.

Family: Pelobatidae (European Spadefoot Toads)

Fun Fact: "Spadefoots spend much of their time underground, emerging only after heavy rains. They are adapted for dry environments, and can decrease the water potential of their body fluids by accumulating urea in their plasma, such that they can reabsorb water from any soil with a higher water potential." (ADW) When disturbed they can emit a smell similar to garlic. (Source)

Habitat: They are endemic to plains of central Europe and northern Italy.

Ecosystem Role: Tadpoles eat plant materials in the freshwater habitats, as well as any tiny animal material such as copepods, while adults help control insect populations. Invertebrates such as crawfish eat tadpoles and smaller frogs, and adults are consumed by many predators from the invasive bullfrog to many types of birds.