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Fig. 23. Palmar view of hand (left) and plantar view of feet (right) of Bufo xeros (CAS 138523). 



Description 



Head longer than wide. Tympanum vertically oval, its 

 horizontal diameter 0.6 times that of eye. Paratoid glands 

 elongated and narrow, divergent at the extremes. Subarticular 

 tubercles v;ide, usually single, occasionally double. Forelimb 

 with elongated gland on posterior surface. Tarsal fold well 

 developed. Upperparts olivaceous brown, greyish or yellowish, 

 with six pairs of dark brown spots on the head and dorsum. 

 Paratoid glands are yellowish. Belly cream coloured, greyish 

 brown on the throat of males. 



Variation 



Outside the North Africa, geographical variation in call, 

 size and colouration has been recognized. No nominal taxon has 

 been described within the area, and no subspecies are currently 

 recognized . 



Ecology 



Individuals observed active from September to March. Their 

 diet is composed of arachnids and insects, specially 

 coleopterans . They are active at night, and in the breeding 

 season, they are also active during the day. They are found in 

 oases and in pools of water for livestock. 



