Breviceps fuscus Hewitt, 1925

Body and Limb Morphology

Breviceps fuscus has a round, squat body with short limbs and short toes. Its feet face inward, an adaptation that lets it burrow much more effectively.

Size and Lifespan

Adult individuals reach a snout–vent length of roughly 40–51 mm (1.6–2.0 in), and this species can live between 4 and 15 years.

Skin Characteristics

The skin does not have warts, but it does have distinct, widely spaced lumps (small tubercles) and visible pitting.

Coloration and Shape

The species is typically dark brown or nearly black overall, with a slightly lighter belly and no patterned pigmentation. Its short legs and compact body give it a distinct avocado-like shape.

Distribution Range

This species is found only on the southern slopes of the Cape Fold Belt, ranging from Swellendam to the Outeniqua Mountains, at elevations that can reach over 1,000 m (3,300 ft).

Habitat Preferences

It is a burrowing species that lives in fynbos and forest fringes, and it does not need open water to survive. Due to its burrowing behavior, it prefers to live near dislodged sand piles.

Male Calling Behavior

For reproduction, males call from inside burrows, sometimes while guarding eggs, and also from above-ground vegetation.

Call Properties

The call is a short 0.2 second "chirp" with a dominant frequency of 1.8 kHz.

Burrow Nest Specifications

Eggs are laid inside burrows that have 15 mm-wide openings and are roughly 30–40 mm deep.

Egg Characteristics

Each nest holds approximately 42–43 yellow eggs. Each egg is 5 mm in diameter, enclosed within an 8 mm capsule.