Respected conservationist and Cheshire attraction Chester Zoo has welcomed Surinam toads to its ever-increasing population. The four Amazonian amphibians have taken up residence in the zoo’s “Tropical House”, one of the landmark largest habits.
Surinam toads (Pipa parva) are extraordinary animals that breed using a biological process some describe as alien. Consequently, keepers at Chester Zoo have decided to name the new arrivals after characters from filmmaker Ridley Scott’s renowned 1979 picture, “Alien”. Dubbed “Dallas”, “Ripley”, “Ash” and “Lambert”, the amphibians are the first of their species to dwell at the zoo.
The aquatic creatures reproduce differently from most toads that leave fertilised spawn in water where they develop. Instead, after the South American species mate, the male embeds the fertilised eggs into the female’s back and protective skin forms to seal them in safely. Once matured into tadpoles, they burst out to begin independent lives.
The toads at Chester have already bred successfully, but amphibian experts were required to act swiftly. Surinam toads possess voracious appetites and, to avoid them being eaten, keepers rapidly removed the tadpoles from the tank.
Surinam toads live in the rain-flooded forests and slow-coursing rivers of many Latin locations like Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil, French Guiana, Peru, Ecuador, Guyana and Suriname, which they are named after. Rather than croak, the toads communicate moving bones within their bodies to create a clicking noise.
Visitors to Chester can now see the toads in their special habitat at the zoo, which is open seven days a week.