The Guttural Toad invasion of Cape there is a very real threat of them colonizing a Endangered Western Town threatens the endangered much wider area in the City of Cape Town. Western Leopard Toad Leopard Toad It is essential to capture every guttural toad sighted, (Sclerophrys pantherinus) because a single female can produce 20,000 eggs The City of Cape Town, in partnership with per season. The protocol below can assist you CapeNature, the Centre of Excellence for Invasion to distinguish easily the Guttural Toad from the Biology and the Natural Resources Management Western Leopard Toad Program embarked on and help us to look for a project to protect our this species. If you see indigenous toads and any guttural toads on frogs. An alien toad your property (especially species, the Guttural if you live around Toad, is rapidly Constantia, please follow establishing and carefully the protocol spreading and we need steps down here. your help! Invasive Guttural Guttural toads pose Toad a serious threat to (Sclerophrys gutturalis) the survival of our indigenous frog and toad species, especially the endangered Western leopard toad as they compete for habitat, resources and breeding grounds.

The introduced Guttural Toad is an alien invasive species. They occur in a 5km range in the Constantia Valley area (north of Constantia Main Road) and are known to breed in garden ponds. However the invaded area is increasing year after year and it is now possible to find this species outside Constantia. Can you tell the At the beginning of 2014 some individuals were detected for the first time also in Bishopscourt. If difference? this population is allowed to continue to spread Guttural Toad Leopard Toad Report Guttural Toads sightings Have you seen a guttural toad in your garden or elsewhere in Cape Town?

Please report any sightings to:

NCC Environmental Services Tel: 021-702-2284 Email: [email protected] or Cross-mark on top of head. Colour light to Colour: striking symmetrical dark red- [email protected] dark brown with pairs of darker brown patches. brown markings, edged in black and yellow. Smaller scattered spots may occur between the Between the eyes: Dark patch, not forming a Jonathan Bell larger patches. cross. Underside: whitish colour. Tel: 072-037-3034 Email: [email protected] Call: Long drawn Call: Deep guttural, out snore on over- Graca De Abreu pulsed snore, resem- cast days. During Tel: 073-651-5456 bling the sound of a spring, from August bouncing ping-pong to October. • Note: If you’re not sure about the species ball. Calls usually Sep- identification, take a photograph at send it to tember to February. the above contacts. • If you have caught the toad, place it in a bucket or similar escape-proof container, and keep it moist and in a dark place (out of direct sunlight). • Write down where you found it. If possible, provide GPS coordinates.

Logos City of Cape Town/

No red infusions on back legs. CapeNature/CIB Red infusions on back legs.