tailed toad
- noun
- US
:
sapo con cola
- Unlike most frogs, the tailed toad retains a tail-like structure as an adult.
Examples
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The tailed toad inhabits fast-flowing mountain streams in the Pacific Northwest.
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Researchers observed a tailed toad using its unique organ during the breeding season.
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The tailed toad is native to western North America.
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Many tailed toads can be found near ponds.
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Researchers observed a tailed toad using its unique organ to attract mates during the breeding season.
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The tailed toad is often seen near fast-flowing streams in the Pacific Northwest, where it thrives.
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Unlike most frogs, the tailed toad has a distinctive tail-like structure that aids in reproduction.
Synonyms
A small frog from western North America with a tail-like organ in males used to mate
A frog from western North America with a tail-like organ used in mating
A frog from western North America with a tail like body part used in mating
A frog in western North America that uses a tail-like organ to mate
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'tailed' means 'having a tail' and 'toad' is an amphibian, so the meaning 'a toad with a tail-like organ' is directly derivable from the constituents. This is a common, cross-linguistic descriptive pattern (e.g., 'long-tailed mouse'), so a B1 learner who knows the two words would understand it.
Etymology
Tailed toad comes from a simple image: some adult males keep a small, tail-like organ, so people described the animal as a tailed toad. That's why the name refers to a frog species with a tail-like organ used in 'breeding'.
