Tomato frogs are three species of frogs belonging to the Dyscophus genus and are all native to Madagascar. They get their name for their red coloration, although their round shape certainly adds to their tomato-like appearance. Their red hue is an example of aposematic coloration; the colors serve as a warning to would-be predators that the frogs are toxic. Indeed, tomato frog skin secretes a milky substance that numbs the eyes and mouths of large predators and gums up the mouths of smaller predators, like snakes. In humans, it can cause a mild allergic reaction. Despite this, these frogs are available in the exotic pet trade. I’ve always wanted to keep tomato frogs as pets but over collecting them for the pet trade has caused their populations to decline in the wild. Thankfully, captive bred tomato frogs are becoming increasingly available.
The Toymany tomato frog represents the Madagascan tomato frog (Dyscophus antongilii) also known as just the tomato frog. They’re found in northeastern Madagascar in coastal forests, scrublands, and gardens, and breed in shallow, slow-moving streams and pools. They feed on small invertebrates and when threatened they will inflate their bodies to appear larger.
This is a diminutive figure that can almost rest comfortably on an American half-dollar. It measures 1.57” (4 cm) from snout-to-vent. Male tomato frogs are smaller than females and reach a length of 2.56” (6.5 cm) while females can reach a length of 4.13” (10.5 cm). This puts the figure between 1/1.5-1/2.6 in scale.
The figure is posed with its hindlimbs tucked in and head lifted inquisitively upwards. It’s plump and positively adorable! A fold of skin can be seen running across the back of the head, behind the eyes. In life, this allows frogs of the Microhylidae family to cover their eyes and protect them from termites and ants, a principle food source of Microhylid frogs. Two dorsolateral skin folds can also be seen running along the sides, from the eyes to the hindlimbs. Additional skin folds can be seen bunched up around the tucked in limbs and there’s some saggy skin along the throat. The skin is sculpted with a fine, granular and pitted texture. Four toes are accurately sculpted on each limb.
This frog is identifiable as D. antongilii thanks to its vivid red coloration. The Sambava or false tomato frog (D. guineti) is yellower in color and the Anysouhy tomato frog (D. insularis) is gray-brown in color. Black slashes are painted on either side of the figure and in life these can be long or short like we see here. The underside is pale reddish-white. The eyes are gold with black pupils.
Only two toys of D. antongilii have been made, with the other being a rather crude figure by K&M International. There also exists two toys of D. guineti but for this species the Toymany figure is a must-have in any froggy collection. Its small size, bright colors, and chubby features make it a joy to behold, and we of course appreciate its accuracy and high level of detail. This is definitely among my favorite figures in the Toymany Madagascar Animal Figurine set.