27 



Fig. 21. Palmar view of hand (left, AMNH 52838) and plantar view of feet (right, USNM 195279) of 

 Bufo viridis. 



Variation 



The populations of Morocco, Algeria and western Libya have 

 a pale vertebral line, a relatively short tibia, and relatively 

 short tibial and paratoid glands. The taxon boulengerl Lataste, 

 1879 can be applied to these populations. Populations of 

 Algerian Sahara have the smallest SVL in North Africa. 



Ecology 



These toads live in open areas and takes refuge in burrows 

 or beneath rocks. In Algeria, they are active year around and 

 in Libya from March to December. In Morocco, they reach 2300 m 

 in Cedrus atlantica forest. In arid Saharan areas, they occur 

 in the vicinity of oases. In the Hoggar mountains, they live at 

 1400-2500 m next to permanent streams. They eat snails, worms, 

 and insects, specially coleopterans . In Libya, densities of 113 

 individuals per hectare have been estimated in gardens and 

 cultivated fields. 



Biology 



In North Africa, they usually breeds from February to May. 

 Another breeding period, August to September is also recorded 

 in Tunisia. After rains, they breed in any season in the Hoggar 

 mountains; amplexus was observed in April, June, and August. 

 Tadpoles have been found in September. In Libya, laying takes 

 place from the end of February to the end of April, although 

 amplexus has also been seen in September and tadpoles in 

 January . 



