# Surinam Toad (*Pipa pipa*) The Surinam Toad is a unique toad that has a flat body and can hide very well in the water. It looks like a leaf! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Swamps and slow rivers - **Also known as:** Pipa Toad, Toad of Suriname ![Surinam Toad](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426579/objects/5741.jpg) ## Appearance The Surinam Toad is incredibly flat, resembling a fallen leaf or stone. It has rough, bumpy, brownish-grey skin, a distinct triangular head, and tiny, almost hidden eyes. Its unique, flattened body helps it blend seamlessly into muddy riverbeds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Pipidae - **Genus:** Pipa ## Interesting facts - Instead of hopping, they usually swim with powerful webbed hind feet to move. - Surinam toads are truly aquatic; they never leave the water, even to lay eggs! - They hunt by touch; tiny fingers help them find hidden snacks in murky water! - This toad is super flat, looking exactly like a dead leaf on the riverbed! ## Special abilities - **Living Nursery:** Surinam Toad has unique back skin that thickens to hold eggs, protecting babies until they hatch as tiny, fully formed toadlets. - **Master of Disguise:** Surinam Toad can flatten its body and blend perfectly with muddy riverbeds, making it nearly invisible to predators and prey. - **Underwater Sensors:** Surinam Toad has star-shaped fingertips that are highly sensitive, helping them find food in murky water by touch. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.12-0.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 7-12 years - **Clutch Size:** 60-100 - **Metamorphosis:** 70-120 days ## Diet & Feeding Tiny fish, worms, and bugs are tasty treats for this flat friend! - **Primary Foods:** small fish, aquatic insects, crustaceans, worms - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Guppy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/guppy) (*Poecilia reticulata*) — Preys on small fish found in its habitat. - **Eats:** Bloodworm (midge larva) (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Consumes aquatic insect larvae from riverbeds. - **Eaten by:** [Spectacled Caiman](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spectacled-caiman) (*Caiman crocodilus*) — Juveniles are prey for larger aquatic predators. - **Eaten by:** Green Anaconda (*Eunectes murinus*) — Can be hunted by large aquatic snakes. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Surinam Toad? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Surinam Toad? 10-20 cm ### How much does Surinam Toad weigh? 0.12-0.2 kg ### How long does Surinam Toad live? 7-12 years ### What does Surinam Toad eat? Tiny fish, worms, and bugs are tasty treats for this flat friend! ### Where is Surinam Toad usually found? Swamps and slow rivers ### How does Surinam Toad hunt? Ambush ### How many eggs does Surinam Toad lay? 60-100 ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Surinam Toad: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/surinam-toad)