Habitat:
Rainforests, wet grasslands

Activity period :
Primarily active during the day, with peak activity in the morning and late afternoon.

Identification and description:
Melanophryniscus stelzneri is a small, colorful toad native to South America, primarily found in Argentina and Brazil. Its skin is often black with red or yellow patterns, allowing it to blend into its natural environment. This toad is known for its unique defense behaviors, such as inflating its body to appear larger to predators. It prefers humid habitats like rainforests and wet grasslands, where it can hide under leaves and rocks. Although its population is stable, it is threatened by habitat loss due to agriculture and urbanization.

Recommended lens:
Macro – adjust based on distance, desired framing (portrait or habitat), and approach conditions.

Photography tips:
To photograph the Redbelly Toad, choose cloudy days to avoid harsh shadows and achieve soft lighting. Use a macro lens to capture the details of its colorful skin. Approach slowly to avoid scaring it, and maintain a distance of at least 2 m to avoid disturbing its natural behavior. A tripod can be useful to stabilize your camera and get sharp images. Be patient and wait for it to move naturally to capture interesting poses.