Surinam Toad

What a weird creature! The Surinam toad has a very flat body and triangular head. This toad also lacks a tongue! Unlike other toads, the Surinam toad is highly adapted to an almost totally aquatic existence. They live in slow-moving, muddy waters in North-East South America. The Surinam toad has special organs along it's sides to detect vibrations in the water, sensitive, tentacle-like projections on the ends of it's fingers for feeling prey, and upward facing eyes to see above the water's surface. When breeding, the eggs are absorbed into the female's back, where they develop in capsules. They then emerge later as mini Surinam toads!

The Jacana

The Jacana is a very interesting bird. It's large feet enable it to walk upon lily pads! The jacana will walk upon the flimsy plants in search of small insects and invertebrates, which it eats. Prey can be found on the water's surface or underneath the lily pads. The jacana lives worldwide within the tropic zone, and there are only eight species. When rearing young, a jacana couple will behave differently than other bird species. The mother bird will defend the nest, while the father incubates and tends to the young. Happy early father's day!