Brachycephalidae - Saddleback Toads

There are 41 species in this family. Saddleback toads are found in the forests of southeastern Brazil and northern Argentina. They are tiny and have three digits on each hind leg and two their front legs. Most frogs and toads have five digits on their hind legs and four digits on their front legs.

Saddleback toads are also know as shield toads because of the bony shield above their vertebrae. They are also known as pumpkin toads because of their color.

Saddleback toads live in the leaf litter on the forest floor. Because they lay their eggs on the ground, they have no tadpole stage of development.

One species in this family, the flea frog - Rachycephalus didactylus, is the smallest frog in the Southern Hemisphere. It is bright gold and only a little larger than 3/8 of an inch in length. It is also known as the Brazilian gold frog and the Brazilian flea frog.

Brachycephalidae Photo Gallery

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia Europe North America South America NH Click for More Info Click for Image
Brachycephalus brunneus Flea-frog - Brachycephalus didactylus Pumpkin Toadlet - Brachycephalus ephippium Flea-frog - Brachycephalus hermogenesi Brachycephalus nodoterga Shield Toad - Brachycephalus pernix Steindachner's Robber Frog - Ischnocnema guentheri Ischnocnema henselii Ischnocnema hoehnei Ischnocnema holti Ischnocnema izecksohni		Ischnocnema juipoca Ischnocnema lactea Ischnocnema manezinho Ischnocnema nasuta Ischnocnema oea Ischnocnema parva Ischnocnema penaxavantinho Ischnocnema randorum Ischnocnema verrucosa Ischnocnema vinhai

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio

Brachycephalus brunneus
This frog is found in thick leaf-litter. It is found in Brazil.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Pumpkin Toadlet - Brachycephalus ephippium
The pumpkin toadlet is found in Brazil.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Pumpkin Toadlet - Brachycephalus ephippium
The pumpkin toadlet is tiny; it is only around 0.7 inches in length.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Flea-frog - Brachycephalus didactylus
The flea frog is found in Brazil. It is so tiny that it is difficult to locate!
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Flea-frog - Brachycephalus hermogenesi
The flea frog is found in Brazil.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Brachycephalus nodoterga
Brachycephalus nodoterga is found in Brazil.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Shield Toad - Brachycephalus pernix
The Shield toad is barely a centimeter in length, that is only about 0.4 inches.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Steindachner's Robber Frog - Ischnocnema guentheri
Steindachner's robber frog is found in Argentina and Brazil.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ischnocnema henselii
Ischnocnema henselii is found in Argentina and Brazil.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ischnocnema hoehnei
Ischnocnema hoehnei is found in Brazil.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ischnocnema holti
Ischnocnema holti is found in Brazil.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ischnocnema izecksohni
Ischnocnema izecksohni is found in Brazil.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ischnocnema juipoca
Ischnocnema juipoca is found in Brazil.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ischnocnema lactea
Ischnocnema lactea is found in Brazil.
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Ischnocnema manezinho
Ischnocnema manezinho is found in Brazil.
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Ischnocnema nasuta
Ischnocnema nasuta is found in Brazil.
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Ischnocnema oea
Ischnocnema oea is found in Argentina and Brazil.
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Ischnocnema parva
Ischnocnema parva is found in Brazil.
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Ischnocnema penaxavantinho
Ischnocnema penaxavantinho is found in Brazil.
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Ischnocnema randorum
Ischnocnema randorum is found in Brazil.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ischnocnema verrucosa
Ischnocnema verrucosa is found in Brazil.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School