Emei Moustache Toad

Introduction

Emei moustache toad (Leptobrachium boringii) is a species in the family Megophryidae. It is an endemic species to China found in Sichuan, Guizhou, Hunan, and Hubei provinces. "Emei" in its common name refers to its type locality, Mount Emei in Sichuan province. It has characteristic large dark eyes with the upper half of the iris in sky blue color. The snout-vent length of male toads is 70–89 mm, and that of female toads is 59–76 mm. In the breeding season, male Emei moustache toads grow stiff upper lip spikes.

They can jump but more often they crawl. When crawling, as showing in the pictures below, the toad uses its limbs to prop itself up high enough to lift its abdomen off the ground. Usually, the toad blinks its eyes at the beginning of each movement. Only fingertips and the rear parts of the palms touch the ground during crawling.

Gallery 01: Emei Moustache Toad

Natural Environment

This video shows our photographer's searching for the Emei moustache toads and their tadpoles.

Gallery 02: Natural Environment

Gallery 03: Emei Moustache Toads in Natural Habitat

The Battles of Emei Moustache Toads

Emei moustache toads spend most of their time in forests. But in mid-February each year, Emei moustache toads wake up and go to the stream to breed. During this time, male Emei moustache toads grow stiff upper lip spikes. They use these spikes to fight with each other, competing for territories. This video shows the battles of Emei moustache toads.

Gallery 04: Male Emei Moustache Toads in Breeding Season

Tadpoles

Tadpoles of Emei moustache toads usually live in the clean streams at higher altitudes. They hide in rock crevices under the water during the day and become active after the sunset. These tadpoles feed on the plant debris, algae, fungi or small arthropods in the water. They grow slowly and it takes 3 to 5 years for tadpoles to develop into toads. Tadpoles of Emei moustache toads are big and some can reach as long as 14 centimeters in length.

Gallery 05: Tadpoles of Emei Moustache Toads