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The '''Surinam toad''' is a small frog of the genus ''Pipa'', and found in tropical ponds and still waters of the Amazon Basin of South America.  It's unusual characteristic - the laying of eggs and the hatching of young entirely within the skin of the female's back - has presented a severe problem for the theory of evolution.

The '''Surinam toad''' is a small [[frog]] of the genus ''Pipa'', and found in tropical ponds and still waters of the [[Amazon River|Basin]] of [[South America]].  It's unusual characteristic - the laying of eggs and the hatching of young entirely within the skin of the female's back - has presented a severe problem for the theory of evolution.

==Description==

==Description==

Surinam toads have a flattened, leaf-shaped body 6 to 8 inches long. They are brown to dark-brown on top, and lightly-colored underneath; a "T"-shaped mark, similar to an autopsy cut, is prominent on its belly. The head is triangular, bearing tiny black eyes at either end. Females have a "spongy" back skin.

Surinam toads have a flattened, leaf-shaped body 6 to 8 inches long. They are brown to dark-brown on top, and lightly-colored underneath; a "T"-shaped mark, similar to an autopsy cut, is prominent on its belly. The head is triangular, bearing tiny black eyes at either end. Females have a "spongy" back skin.

==Distribution and habitat==

==Distribution and habitat==

==Breeding==

==Breeding==

Breeding takes place when there is a drop in water temperature and levels rise. Males attract females by making clicking sounds underwater; once there the male grasps the female and both swim about in somersaulting motions.

Breeding takes place when there is a drop in water temperature and levels rise. Males attract females by making clicking sounds underwater; once there the male grasps the female and both swim about in somersaulting motions.

While in the males grasp, the female lays her eggs on the male's belly with a long oviduct, which is then fertilized.  The male then places the eggs on the female's back, where they adhere to her dorsal skin; the skin swells around the eggs within 24 hours, and fully-encloses them within 10 days.  The young develop in this manner until they hatch within 12 to 20 weeks, emerging from her skin as fully-formed toads.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCayq56wHSA</ref>

While in the males grasp, the female lays her eggs on the male's belly with a long oviduct, which is then fertilized.  The male then places the eggs on the female's back, where they adhere to her dorsal skin; the skin swells around the eggs within 24 hours, and fully-encloses them within 10 days.  The young develop in this manner until they hatch within 12 to 20 weeks, emerging from her skin as fully-formed toads.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCayq56wHSA</ref>