The rocky hillocks and outcrops of the Eastern Ghats and Deccan Plateau1 in Peninsular India harbour a unique nocturnal species that emerges under the cover of darkness, the Gunther’s toad. These silent guardians, patrolling their rugged domains, were long considered vanishing phantoms1, whispered about by herpetologists and locals alike.
In the sun-drenched, often-forgotten outcrops of southern India, this tiny toad with white spots has reemerged from myth into scientific reality1 and is reshaping our understanding of conservation, coexistence, and the quiet resilience of nature.
This resilience is increasingly being tested though, and human interventions are to blame. This recent study titled ‘Preserving breeding habitats in socio-ecological systems: insights from the stenotopic toad species Duttaphrynus hololius’ published in Current Science and authored by Saneesh Cherapurath Soman, Anil Sarsavan and S. R. Ganesh, which explores the threats to the toad, finds that mining and accumulation of silt are affecting the breeding habitats and life cycles of the toad, endangering its survival.
For years, Gunther’s toad (Duttaphrynus hololius) was misidentified or confused1 with other species like the marbled toad (D. stomaticus) and the dwarf toad (D. scaber). Only after a re-examination of historical specimens and modern sightings did scientists finally untangle1 the confusion.
This toad is commonly found in the rocky hillocks and outcrops2 of Bangalore in Karnataka; Hosur, Gingee and Javadi Hills in Tamil Nadu; and Chittoor, Nellore, Visakhapatnam and Nagarjuna Sagar Dam in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Please see the location map below.
A toad that rocks in the rocks
Gunther’s toad is closely associated with rocky outcrops, which are fascinating geological features formed due to years of erosion and weathering of rocks where wind, water and ice erode the exposed bedrock to create a number of hollows, cracks and crevices. These natural formations often provide valuable habitats for plants and animals3 that are adapted to living in harsh environments. During the rainy season, the hollows in the rocks get filled with water, forming rock pools that provide a vital resource for plants and animals in the heat of the day and also serve as crucial breeding grounds for many amphibians and insects.
Nocturnal and insectivorous, Gunther’s toad survives by eating insects and thrives within these rocky niches. Its body is uniquely adapted for life among boulders—flattened, smooth, and with porous glandular patches that help it blend into the rocky surroundings. The toad becomes active during the rains and breeds by laying eggs in stagnant temporary pools and ponds formed on rocky surfaces, but not in the soil. Tadpoles develop in these temporary pools. Young ones resemble adults, but are more brightly coloured with vivid scarlet red spots on their bodies4. Successful breeding in these sites relies on natural water availability, something that is increasingly threatened by human activity.
A farmer's ally: The Gunther's toad and sustainable agriculture
The Gunther’s toad contributes to ecological stability in agricultural landscapes by regulating pest populations, indicating ecosystem health, and coexisting with low-impact farming systems. The toad acts as:
A natural pest control partner: The toad feeds on insects that often damage crops5, thus aiding pest control and helping farmers reduce their reliance on chemical pesticides, which can harm soil health and biodiversity.
Thrives near farmlands: Gunther’s toads breed in temporary freshwater pools on rocky outcrops—landscapes that often overlap with farmland.
Farming supports toad survival: In villages like Somrajkunta, farmers choose native cattle over tractors and limit pesticide use 6, and this helps them to practice natural farming while conserving natural habitats that help the survival of the toad.
Indicator of healthy ecosystems: This toad is considered as an indicator of soil, and the presence of the toad indicates a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem6 that leads to better crop yields, pollination, and long-term sustainability.
Locally valued and protected: Locally known as gronde kappa in Telugu5, farmers in Andhra Pradesh are known to proudly protect the toad, and it is an important part of their land’s identity.
Human pressures threatening the toads survival
The study was conducted in the Sri Sathya Sai and Annamayya districts of Andhra Pradesh on open rocky hillocks nestled within grasslands and agricultural fields where vegetation can be classified as semi-arid savannah. The researchers examined the impacts of agriculture, livestock grazing, small-scale granite mining, silt accumulation and climatic factors such as precipitation, temperature and humidity on the Gunther toad’s breeding cycles by recording toad sightings and tadpole counts.
Farming, mining, and the fragile fate of water filled breeding pools
Visual surveys identified 43 temporary breeding pools exclusively used by the Gunther’s toad. Around 65 percent of the pools were surrounded by small-scale farming using traditional methods (manure and draft animals) with no heavy machinery or pesticides.
There was also evidence of some tree planting initiatives and presence of manmade irrigation tanks within 100 metres of some pools. One pool had a check-dam built by a village institution within 100 metres.
Analysis found that agriculture had no negative effects on adult frog presence, eggs and tadpoles. The things that affected the survival of the adult frogs, eggs and tadpoles were:
Water depletion: Water depletion from the pools was difficult to measure, and it was found that small-scale granite mining led to the drying up of the pools because of fractures. This did not prevent adult frogs from laying their eggs in the fractured pools, but affected the survival of eggs and tadpoles significantly.
Silt deposits: It reduced water depth in some pools and reduced the water-holding capacity of the pools by approximately 20 percent. Silt accumulation did not affect adult frogs coming to pools, but reduced the probability of the appearance of egg strings and the survival of tadpoles in the silt.
Natural variations in pool size: This did not influence egg deposition, but affected breeding completion when combined with human disturbances like mining fractures and siltation.
Shallow pools with high evapotranspiration: They dried quickly, impacting egg survival and tadpole development.
Human interventions such as rainwater harvesting affected water availability and the toad survival: Silt accumulation and leakage from fractures caused by upslope trenches made for rainwater harvesting in the area reduced the pool's water-holding capacity threatening the survival of toad eggs and tadpoles.
Saneesh, the lead author of the study, informs, “With this study, we wanted to highlight that human disturbances to water bodies (we mean a human foot sized pool to large lakes covering a few hectares!) such as siltation and leakage in breeding pools significantly and negatively impact the lifecycle and breeding success of species like Duttaphrynus hololius (Gunthers toad). Specifically, silt accumulation and breaches in water bodies reduce water availability and disrupt breeding activities, threatening the survival of these species.
The study found that sustainable organic practices used in agriculture, such as the use of organic manure, shallow ploughing, and planting native crops, did not disturb the habitat and helped retain suitable breeding sites for the Gunther’s toad, unlike the use of heavy machinery and fertilisers used in chemical farming, which degrade habitat.
A call for conservation action
Although currently classified as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, Gunther’s toad faces an uncertain future due to habitat degradation as it does not readily migrate to new areas, which increases its vulnerability to extinction.
The study argues for the urgent adoption of sustainable land-use policies to protect not only Gunther’s toad but also the other flora and fauna that depend on rocky outcrop ecosystems across India.
Saneesh informs, “We want to emphasise the importance of long term monitoring and sustainable management of rainwater harvesting structures (Both in general and for the specific toad), especially among hilltops with shallow soils. Such disturbances can lead to soil washdowns, affecting not just immediate breeding habitats but also broader grassland ecosystems, impacting a range of species and ecological processes”.
Measures that can be taken to conserve the Gunther’s toad:
Preserving rocky outcrops and rock pools where the toads breed can save them from going extinct.
Preventing habitat disturbance from tractors, construction, or land levelling
Promoting biodiversity-friendly farming6 and encouraging the use of native cattle instead of heavy machinery can help avoid damaging microhabitats like that of the toad.
Increasing awareness among communities of the rich biodiversity in farmlands and of the symbiotic relationships that animals such as the Gunther’s toad that live in farms share with humans.
Empowering local communities to form or strengthen village biodiversity committees6 can help sustain and oversee habitat protection.
Involving farmers in citizen science6 and amphibian monitoring.
Sharing success stories like those from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh6, to inspire other regions
Conducting regular amphibian surveys to track population changes and habitat conditions.
Encouraging further studies on breeding patterns, threats, and ecological roles of Gunther’s toad.
Policy and legal protection
Key habitats that conserve the Gunther's toad and other such amphibians can be turned into reptile or amphibian sanctuaries7 to save them from extinction
Integrate amphibian conservation into watershed management5 and rural development programmes.
Enforcing protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, to help conserve the toad species.
Saneesh further adds, “We are trying to push for scientifically backed conservation strategies that mitigate habitat disruption caused by human infrastructure and resource use, ensuring the preservation of vital breeding habitats for vulnerable amphibian species like Duttaphrynus hololius (Gunthers toad)”
In the quiet corners of rocky outcrops, the Gunther’s toad tells a deeper story, one of coexistence, resilience, and the fragile balance between human progress and ecological survival. Though small and silent, its presence signals the health of entire ecosystems. As mining fractures stone and silt buries life, we must ask: how many such quiet guardians must vanish before we listen? Protecting this toad is not just about saving a species, it’s about redefining how we value the unnoticed, the nocturnal, and the naturally wise. In saving the toad, we may just learn how to save ourselves.
Saneesh C S is currently working at the Wildlife Trust of India, managing the Wayanad Conflict Mitigation Project and overseeing its operations. He can be contacted at cssaneesh@gmail.com.
References
1. Bhargavi Srinivasulu, S.R. Ganesh & Chelmala Srinivasulu (2013) New regional record and notes on historical specimens of Günther’s Toad Duttaphrynus hololius with comments on other southeastern Indian congeners. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 5(13): 4784–4790.
2. S. R. Ganesh, S. Brihadeesh, B. Laxmi Narayana, Shaik Hussain & G. Chethan Kumar (2020) A contribution on morphology and distribution of the Rock Toad Duttaphrynus hololius (Günther, 1876) with first report on deformity, calling and breeding behaviours (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae). Asian Journal of Conservation Biology. 9 (1), 71-78.
3. James A.Fitzsimons, Damian R.Michael (2017) Rocky outcrops: A hard road in the conservation of critical habitats. Biological Conservation. 211 (B), 36-44.
4. Ganesh, S. R., Kalaimani, A., Nath, A., & Kumar, R. B. (2013). First observations on the larval characteristics of Günther's toad Duttaphrynus hololius (Günther, 1876). Herpetotropicos, 9(1-2), 5–8.
5. Sejal Mehta Kartik Chandramouli Mohit Negi (2025) An elusive toad on shared space, farmers and decisions. Mongabay India.
6. Menon, Arathi (2020) Rare Gunther’s toad sighting highlights farms as biodiversity hotspots. Mongabay, India, 13th July 2020.
7. Rose Beulah (2024) Declare Nagamalai range as reptile sanctuary, say conservationists. The Hindu, May 22, 2024.