Amphibians Active at night

Guttural Toad

Sclerophrys gutturalis

iNaturalist Wikipedia

Meet the Guttural Toad, the charismatic nighttime guardian of African gardens. Known for its deep snoring call and bold personality, this adaptable amphibian is a master of pest control.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

60–120 mm (2.4–4.7 inches) in length; Weight 50–120g (1.8–4.2 oz)

palette

Colors

Olive-brown or gray with dark, symmetrical patches; distinct pale cross-shaped mark on the head; reddish patches on the inner thighs.

visibility

Key Features

Pale cross-shaped mark between the eyes
Large, prominent parotoid glands behind the eyes
Red infusion or 'blood-red' patches on the back of the thighs
Robust, warty body with dark-edged dorsal patches

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern Active at night

brightness_5

Peak hours 7 PM - 3 AM

calendar_month

Season September-March (Wet season)

restaurant

Diet A generalist carnivore that eats almost any invertebrate it can swallow, including beetles, moths, crickets, spiders, and occasionally small lizards or other frogs.

park

Habitat Highly versatile; found in suburban gardens, urban parks, savannas, grasslands, and forest edges, usually near a permanent or semi-permanent water source.

Behavior

The Guttural Toad is a bold and highly adaptable amphibian, often making itself at home in suburban gardens where it patrols for insects under porch lights. While primarily nocturnal, they are frequently seen during the day in damp, shaded areas. They are famous for their deep, rhythmic 'snoring' croak, which males use to attract mates during the breeding season, often congregating in large numbers around ponds, swimming pools, or even slow-moving gutters.

In a backyard setting, they are surprisingly social with their own kind but can be territorial over prime feeding spots. They are not shy of humans and will often sit still when approached, relying on their camouflage or the toxic secretions from their parotoid glands to deter predators like snakes or domestic pets. They are excellent climbers for toads and can sometimes be found perched on low garden walls or in potted plants.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of a Guttural Toad, position your AI-powered camera very low to the ground—no more than 5 to 10 inches high. Aim the lens toward flat areas like patio stones, garden paths, or the edge of a pond where they frequently hunt. Since these toads are most active at night, ensure your camera has a strong infrared flash or place it near a steady light source like a low-voltage garden lamp, which naturally attracts the insects they eat.

Baiting for toads is unique; you aren't baiting the toad directly, but rather its prey. A small, dull light left on near the ground will attract moths and beetles, creating a 'buffet' that will keep the toad in the camera's field of view for extended periods. During the breeding season (spring and summer), placing your camera near the waterline of a backyard pond or even a shallow water dish is a guaranteed way to record their distinctive inflating throat sacs and snoring calls.

Adjust your camera’s motion sensitivity to its highest setting. Because toads often sit motionless for long periods before a sudden strike, lower sensitivity settings might miss the action. If your camera supports short video bursts rather than just stills, use that feature to capture their fascinating hunting behavior and the rapid flick of their tongues. Be sure to check your lens for 'splash zones' if placed near water, as their energetic hopping can occasionally kick up mud or droplets.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Guttural Toad.

Raucous Toad

Lacks the red patches on the inner thighs and has a more continuous, grating call.

Western Leopard Toad

Has much more striking, well-defined 'leopard' spots and lacks the pale cross on the head; restricted to the Western Cape.

Browse all Amphibians arrow_forward

Frequently Asked Questions

Guttural Toads are primarily nocturnal, emerging at dusk to hunt for insects. They are most active during the early hours of the night (7 PM to midnight), especially during the warm, wet summer months when they congregate near water to breed.

You can attract them by providing a source of water, such as a shallow pond or even a large plant saucer filled with dechlorinated water. Avoid using pesticides in your garden to ensure a healthy population of insects for them to eat, and leave some leaf litter or logs for them to hide under during the day.

They are opportunistic predators that eat a wide variety of invertebrates. Their diet includes beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, moths, termites, and snails. They are highly valued by gardeners for their ability to consume large numbers of common garden pests.

Yes, they are exceptionally well-adapted to human environments. They thrive in suburban gardens because of the abundance of artificial light that attracts insects and the presence of garden ponds and swimming pools which they use for breeding.

The easiest way to identify a Guttural Toad is the distinct pale, cross-shaped mark on its forehead and the bright red patches on the inner surface of its thighs. The Raucous Toad (Sclerophrys capensis) lacks the red thigh patches and has a different, more continuous 'raucous' call compared to the Guttural Toad's 'snore'.

Record Guttural Toad at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo