Scientific Classification

KINGDOM: Animalia

PHYLUM: Chordata

CLASS: Amphibia

ORDER: Anura

FAMILY: Microhylidae

GENUS: Dyscophus

Conservation Status

Tomato frogs are medium-sized frogs that can reach up to four inches long and can weigh around six ounces with the females being three times larger than males.

Not only are females larger but they are also usually brighter in color. Like other poisonous/venomous animals, their bright colors signal to predators that they are poisonous.
The tomato frog will produce a sticky liquid that irritates mucus membranes if ingested.

Not only do the tomato frog species vary in their shade of red, but some species also have dark spots on their throat or around their eyes. All tomato frogs, however, are terrestrial and prefer sandy or muddy habitats. In fact, if a tomato frog were to fall into the water, it could easily drown.

Tomato frogs can be found in the forests, ponds, marshes, canals, and other warm, humid areas throughout Madagascar.

They like to inhabit muddy areas so they can burrow into the ground for shelter or hide from predators.

Tomato frogs are more active during the night. These frogs are carnivores and will consume insects, worms, and other small critters. They are known as ambush predators and will wait in hiding, using the element of surprise to quickly attack its prey. They don’t have a long tongue to catch food, so they need to be close to catch their meals.
Like most amphibians, mating season for tomato frogs is right after the rainy season. To attract a mate, male frogs will produce loud calls to female frogs that are sexually mature. Once pregnant, the females will lay 1,000-1,500 eggs on top of the water. After less than two days, they will hatch into tadpoles. Tomato frogs mature quickly and will become froglets after 45 days, and full adults within a year.

The tomato frog is an umbrella term that encompasses three subspecies.

The tomato frog got its name because it resembles a tomato when it inflates its body to scare predators.