Oreophrynella nigra


Oreophrynella nigra, or pebble toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to the Guiana Highlands in Bolívar State, Venezuela, and known from two tepuis, Kukenan-tepui and Yuruani-tepui, both belonging to the Eastern Tepuis.

Description and behaviour

It is a small species of toad: males measure and females in snout–vent length.
When threatened, the toad folds its limbs under its body, tucks its head in and tenses in a ball shape. If on an incline, this causes it to roll down the slope, escaping the attention of its predator, and looking like a dislodged pebble. Its cryptic black and dark grey coloring that may appear as dark navy blue to some blends with its sandstone habitat.

Habitat and conservation

Its natural habitats are rocks and peat bogs in montane tepui environments at elevations of asl. It is classified as vulnerable because of its apparently restricted range.

Media interest

This toad was featured on a BBC series, Life (2009 [TV series)|Life], pursued by a tarantula spider.