# River Toad

> River Toad (Phrynoidis asper). The river toad is a Southeast Asian bufonid; 'giant' is a relative common name, not a fixed size for every individual.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/phrynoidis-asper/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/phrynoidis-asper/
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**Review status:** This guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

## Quick answer

The River Toad (*Phrynoidis asper*) is an amphibian in the family Bufonidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from West Java, Yogyakarta, Central Java. Diet: insect-eater, mainly ants, termites and beetles; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Phrynoidis asper* |
| Group | Amphibians |
| Family | Bufonidae |
| Observation records | West Java, Yogyakarta, Central Java |
| Taxonomic group | Anura |
| GBIF records | 647 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5785383) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — insect-eater, mainly ants, termites and beetles · [Ecology Asia](https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/amphibians/river_toad.htm) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [Australian Museum](https://australian.museum/learn/teachers/learning/frog-life-cycle/) |
| Venom or poison | Poisonous (toxins in its skin or body, not injected) · [Anita et al. 2025, Morphology and Chemical Composition of the Nuchal Glands of Indonesian Snakes With a Description of a Novel Type of Glands (J Morphol)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12352018/) |
| Active | Nocturnal (active at night) — It is sometimes also seen active by day. · [Phrynoidis asper (Gravenhorst 1829) - treatment from Teynié, David & Ohler (2010) Note on a collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from Western Sumatra (Indonesia), Zootaxa 2416; Plazi TreatmentBank](https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/xhtml/03D087F8FF91FF84AADDFBAFFCA5F9D4) |

## What is the River Toad?

River Toad refers to Phrynoidis asper, in the genus Phrynoidis, family Bufonidae, and order Anura. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/5785383)

## What is known about the River Toad?

The river toad is a Southeast Asian bufonid; 'giant' is a relative common name, not a fixed size for every individual.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrynoidis%20asper)

## Habitat and field observations of the River Toad

A West Sumatran survey found this toad particularly near forest streams, often active at night and sometimes by day. Those local observations do not establish its presence in every Indonesian river or stream.

Evidence: [Teynié, David & Ohler (2010) — Western Sumatra herpetofauna field study](https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.2416.1.1)

## How many Indonesian records name the River Toad?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 647 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5785383&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include West Java, Yogyakarta, Central Java. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5785383&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the River Toad?

Observe in place without moving eggs, tadpoles or frogs. Images of the body and habitat, together with date and calls, can help specialists assess an identification; common names do not establish handling safety. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

## Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare River Toad with Asian Common Toad, Green Paddy Frog, Poisonous Rock Frog. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

## Scientific classification of the River Toad

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Order | Anura |
| Family | Bufonidae |
| Genus | *Phrynoidis* |
| Species | *Phrynoidis asper* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the River Toad

### What is the scientific name of the River Toad?

The scientific name of the River Toad is *Phrynoidis asper*, in the family Bufonidae and the order Anura.

### What kind of animal is the River Toad?

The River Toad is an amphibian in the family Bufonidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a insect-eater, mainly ants, termites and beetles.

### Where does the River Toad live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the River Toad summarised in this guide mainly come from West Java, Yogyakarta, Central Java. That list is not a complete range map.

### What does the River Toad eat?

The River Toad is a insect-eater, mainly ants, termites and beetles. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: [Ecology Asia](https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/amphibians/river_toad.htm).

### How does the River Toad reproduce?

The River Toad reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: [Australian Museum](https://australian.museum/learn/teachers/learning/frog-life-cycle/).

### Is the River Toad poisonous?

Yes. The River Toad is poisonous (toxins in its skin or body, not injected). Not venomous, but its parotoid gland fluid (sampled in Java) contains bufadienolides, which are heart toxins. Source: [Anita et al. 2025, Morphology and Chemical Composition of the Nuchal Glands of Indonesian Snakes With a Description of a Novel Type of Glands (J Morphol)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12352018/).

Do not catch, handle or disturb wild animals. If bitten, stung or exposed to its toxins, go to the nearest health facility straight away.

### Is the River Toad nocturnal?

The cited source records the River Toad as nocturnal (active at night). It is sometimes also seen active by day. Source: [Phrynoidis asper (Gravenhorst 1829) - treatment from Teynié, David & Ohler (2010) Note on a collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from Western Sumatra (Indonesia), Zootaxa 2416; Plazi TreatmentBank](https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/xhtml/03D087F8FF91FF84AADDFBAFFCA5F9D4).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What is the scientific classification of the River Toad?

Scientific classification of the River Toad: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Amphibia, order Anura, family Bufonidae, genus *Phrynoidis*, species *Phrynoidis asper*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the River Toad endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the River Toad is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5785383), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the River Toad is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/5785383)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5785383&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [Teynié, David & Ohler (2010) — Western Sumatra herpetofauna field study](https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.2416.1.1)
4. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/476534)
5. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrynoidis%20asper)
6. [Ecology Asia](https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/amphibians/river_toad.htm)
7. [Australian Museum](https://australian.museum/learn/teachers/learning/frog-life-cycle/)
8. [Phrynoidis asper (Gravenhorst 1829) - treatment from Teynié, David & Ohler (2010) Note on a collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from Western Sumatra (Indonesia), Zootaxa 2416; Plazi TreatmentBank](https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/xhtml/03D087F8FF91FF84AADDFBAFFCA5F9D4)
9. [Anita et al. 2025, Morphology and Chemical Composition of the Nuchal Glands of Indonesian Snakes With a Description of a Novel Type of Glands (J Morphol)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12352018/)
10. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Asian Common Toad](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/duttaphrynus-melanostictus/)
- [Green Paddy Frog](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hylarana-erythraea/)
- [Poisonous Rock Frog](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/odorrana-hosii/)
- [Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/polypedates-leucomystax/)
- [Paddy Field Frog](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/fejervarya-limnocharis/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). River Toad. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/phrynoidis-asper/