The Western Leopard Toad

Description of the Western Leopard Toad:

Adults typically measure between 9-12 cm in length, with females generally larger than males. Being toads, their bodies are robust and their skin is adapted to living mainly away from water, but they still require freshwater for breeding and to complete their life cycle. They are nocturnal, active from dusk (when the sun sets) into the night, and more likely to be seen on wet evenings.

Each toad has a unique pattern of dark patches on an olive-to-yellow background, which acts like a fingerprint. The dark patches can vary in intensity and are surrounded by yellow or darker brown borders when adult. The WLT usually has a yellow stripe running down the middle of its back. The two separated, crescent-shaped dark patches behind each eye are only found in this species. Their patterned skin provides perfect camouflage in their fynbos and wetland habitats.

Click here to see more WLT images

Where are WLTs Found?

The Western Leopard Toad is endemic to (i.e., only found in) the Western Cape Province of South Africa, specifically within two municipalities – the City of Cape Town and the Overstrand. They utilise various habitats within this area, including fynbos, wetlands, dams and urban gardens. These toads are specifically adapted to the unique ecological niches found within the Western Cape, which makes conserving their habitat particularly important.     

South Africa within Africa

WLT distribution within the Cape Peninsula and Overberg areas of Western Cape 

Ecological Importance of Western Leopard Toads:

The Western Leopard Toad plays several important ecological roles within its habitat:

1. Prey in the Food Web Both tadpole and adult stages of toads are the food source for many local predators, eg tadpoles by damsel and dragonfly nymphs, Common Platanna frogs and Yellow-billed ducks; and toads by herons, egrets, ducks, shrews, rats, lizards and snakes on land. Its presence helps maintain biodiversity by supporting these indigenous predator populations.
2. Control of Insect Populations: Adult Western Leopard Toads feed on a variety of insects (including ants, aphids, beetles, caterpillars, mosquitoes and moths); also snails, slugs and spiders. By consuming these invertebrates they help regulate their populations, which can have significant impacts on plant health and ecosystem dynamics. Having toads in your garden is a natural pesticide!
3. Nutrient Cycling: Like other amphibians, WLTs contribute to nutrient cycling in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This means they are part of the natural recycling of food from the plants into the water and on land. Tadpoles feed on algae and detritus in freshwater habitats and, as adults, they contribute nutrients back to the ecosystem through their waste.

    

4. Indicator Species: Amphibians, including the Western Leopard Toad, are sensitive to environmental changes such as pollution and habitat degradation. Monitoring their populations can provide early warnings of environmental stressors that may affect other species within the ecosystem.
5. Wetland Ecosystem Health: Western Leopard Toads rely on wetlands and other freshwater habitats for breeding. By inhabiting and using these areas, they contribute to the health and functioning of wetland ecosystems, which are important for water purification, flood control and providing habitat for other species. By conserving toad habitats, innumerable other local species are also protected.

The Western Leopard Toad is an integral part of the ecosystems of Cape Peninsula and Agulhas Plain, contributing to their functioning and resilience. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting these toads have positive impacts on broader ecological health and biodiversity within their habitats.

Breeding Life Cycle

The breeding cycle of the WLT is a fascinating and critical aspect of its life history, shaped by the seasonal rains and the unique habitats it occupies . 

1. Adult  Migration: The cycle begins with the onset of winter rains, typically during late July and lasting until September/October.  Being nocturnal, they move after dusk and throughout the night, migrating up to 4 km as they seek suitable sites to breed. Various environmental factors will prompt the toads in an area to migrate together to specific breeding ponds or water bodies (e.g., temperature, precipitation). FAQs: When do they migrate?  

2. Breeding: Once at a breeding site, male Western Leopard Toads begin to call to attract females. Their calls are distinctive, resembling a prolonged “snoring” that echoes through the night. This auditory communication plays a crucial role in mate selection and synchronisation of breeding activities. 
Breeding takes place in short, sporadic bursts of activity, lasting for up to a week at a time. These are known as “explosive” breeding events. Males mount gravid females (i.e., carrying eggs), latching onto them using their strong forearms and sticky “nuptial pads” on their feet to secure a fast hold. Females then begin laying thousands of eggs in gelatinous strings, with the male fertilising the eggs as they emerge. This mating position is known as amplexus. The eggs attach to submerged or floating vegetation.

At the start of migration this video is shared for awareness:

3.  Larval – tadpoles:

The tadpoles emerge from the eggs within a few days, depending on water temperature and other environmental factors. Initially, the sides of ponds can be black with thousands of wriggling tadpoles that mainly eat algae on the pond floor. Tadpoles undergo metamorphosis over several weeks, developing hind legs and then forearms, and the bronze spots which will become the characteristic dark patches for which they are known. WLT tadpoles reach up to 26 mm including their tails, which are absorbed by the body before emerging as toadlets, measuring about 11 mm long.

4. Juveniles (metamorphs): The young toadlets leave the water around November and December and disperse into nearby terrestrial habitats, where they will grow and mature over the following years. Immature toads live in the same habitat as adults, preferring damp conditions and to be left alone. Sexual maturity is reached after 2-3 years for males and 3-5 years for females, shown by yellow borders of their patches. This marks the completion of the life cycle and readiness to participate in subsequent breeding seasons.

5.  Adult (non-breeding):

Between breeding seasons all Western Leopard Toads live away from water, sometimes burrowing themselves about 10-20 cm deep into damp sand or soil, especially during the hot, dry summer when they are known to aestivate (become dormant) during really hot periods.  They can be seen on cool, moist evenings foraging and on extremely hot nights re-hydrating

Feel free to contact the Western Leopard Toad Conservation Committee if you would like to get involved or have any enquiries. 

For the Contact Details of the coordinator in your area, please click here.....