Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith, Hemme Batjes, Regis Nossent, Frank Fragano,
Alberto Esquivel, Arne Lesterhuis, José Luis Cartes, Rebecca Zarza and Hugo del Castillo and are used with their permission.
LESSER ESCUERZO Odontophrynus americanus
This fascinating little frog lives an underground existence for most of the year, inhabiting burrows which it digs with its grotesque hind legs. During the breeding season they emerge to look for a mate and it is at this time of year that they are most often encountered. Females produce small black eggs which they allow to drop at random onto muddy substrates. This species is associated with grassy areas where it is found close to both temporary and permanent water sources.
FIGURE 1 - Adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Alberto Esquivel undated - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 2 - Adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Alberto Esquivel undated - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 3 - Same individual upperside (Alberto Esquivel undated - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 4 - Same individual as Fig 1 facial view (Alberto Esquivel undated - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 5 - Adult in-hand, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Alberto Esquivel undated - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 6 - Same individual foot detail (Alberto Esquivel undated - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 7 - Adult lateral, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Alberto Esquivel November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 8 - Same individual dorsal (Alberto Esquivel November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 9 - Same individual ventral  (Alberto Esquivel November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 10 - Same individual frontal  (Alberto Esquivel November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 11 - Same individual (Chris Elder November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
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Odontophrynus americanus call recorded PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (David Gill March 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
Click the link to hear the call.