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Glite Dictionary
obstetrical toad

obstetrical toad

9.9
A small European animal whose male carries fertilized eggs around his hind legs until they hatch
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : sapo obstétrico
  • The obstetrical toad is known for its unusual breeding behavior, with males carrying eggs on their legs.

Examples

  • Researchers observed a male obstetrical toad carefully guarding its developing eggs.

  • Unlike most amphibians, the obstetrical toad father's role involves protecting the offspring until they hatch.

  • The obstetrical toad is known for its unique breeding behavior.

  • Did you see the obstetrical toad at the nature reserve?

  • Researchers observed a male obstetrical toad carefully guarding its developing eggs.

  • The obstetrical toad is unique because male toads carry fertilized eggs wrapped around their legs.

  • Males of the obstetrical toad species play a crucial role in ensuring the eggs hatch safely.

Synonyms

midwife toad
vsobstetrical toad
  • UK
1 9.9

A small European toad whose male carries eggs on his back until they hatch

is narrower, referring to one species that carries eggs around hind legs
Alytes obstetricans
vsobstetrical toad
  • UK
9.9

A small European toad whose male carries fertilized eggs wrapped around his back legs until they hatch

is the same meaning but uses the common species name

Surface Forms

obstetrical toad singular
obstetrical toads plural

Morphology

obstetrical + toad

Knowing 'obstetrical' (relating to pregnancy/childbirth) and 'toad' gives a B1 learner a clear cue that the animal is associated with reproductive or caregiving behavior, so the general idea is inferable. However, the specific biological detail (a species in which the male carries eggs wrapped around its legs) is technical and not predictable from the constituents alone, so full meaning requires prior exposure.

Etymology

Obstetrical toad comes from the male toad's habit of carrying fertilized eggs wrapped around his hind legs until they hatch. Because the father 'helps at birth' like a 'midwife', the word obstetrical was used with toad to name this unusual parenting way.