Why is this animal unusual?
After mating, the male presses the eggs onto the female’s back. Her skin swells up around each one until it sits in its own little pocket, like a honeycomb. The young skip the tadpole stage and emerge as fully formed miniature toads.
Why does it look like that?
A triangular head, tiny eyes with no eyelids, and a body so flat it looks as if it’s been stepped on.
Strangest biological feature
Star-tipped fingers. Each long finger ends in a tiny four-pointed star that feels for prey in the mud.
Why is it strange?
It has no tongue and no teeth. It catches food by lunging and sucking it into its mouth with both hands.
Interesting behavioral facts
Mating involves the pair doing somersaults together in the water. At the top of each loop the female releases eggs, which land on her back.
