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Rhythmic Caco (Cacosternum rhythmum)

Posted on by Ryan Tippett

Cover photo by Nick Evans.

Find the Rhythmic Caco in the FBIS database (Freshwater Biodiversity Information System) here.

Family Pyxicephalidae

Habitat

The Rhythmic Caco inhabits flooded grassy areas in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

Behaviour

The call is distinctive. It consists of a series of pulsed notes ending in a series of chirps. The call is rhythmical, hence the species name.

Rhythmic Caco Cacosternum rhythmum
Near Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo by Faansie Peacock

Status and Conservation

Very little is known about the Rhythmic Caco. The conservation status of C. rhythmum is considered Data Deficient.

Distribution

The Rythmic Caco is known only from a handful of locations in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and from Wakkerstroom in Mpumalanga. The species is endemic to South Africa.

Distribution of Cacosternum rhythmum. Taken from the FrogMAP database as at February 2022.

Further Resources

Virtual Museum (FrogMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)

More common names: Ritmiese Blikslanertjie (Afrikaans)

Recommended citation format for this species text:

Tippett RM. Rhythmic Caco Cacosternum rhythmum. BDI, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/02/20/rhythmic-caco-cacosternum-rhythmum/

Ryan Tippett
Ryan Tippett
Ryan is an enthusiastic contributor to Citizen Science and has added many important and interesting records of fauna and flora. He has been a member of the Virtual Museum since 2014 and has currently submitted over 12,000 records. He is on the expert identification panel for the OdonataMAP project. Ryan is a well-qualified and experienced Field Guide, and Guide Training Instructor. He has spent the last 18 years in the guiding and tourism industries. Ryan loves imparting his passion and knowledge onto others, and it is this that drew him into guide training in particular. Something that he finds incredibly rewarding is seeing how people he's had the privilege of teaching have developed and gone on to greater things. His interests are diverse and include Dragonflies, Birding, Arachnids, Amphibians, wild flowers and succulents, free diving and experiencing big game on foot. With this range of interests, there is always likely be something special just around the corner!