Archive

Hogsback Caco (Cacosternum thorini)

Posted on by Ryan Tippett

Cover photo by Luke Kemp.

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

Family Pyxicephalidae

Identification

The Hogsback Caco is a small species that reaches a maximum size of 15.6mm. The body is slender and widest in the belly region. The limbs are relatively long and slender. The upperparts are grey to brown or green, often with small, indistinct, pale blotches, and the skin is smooth. A pale vertebral line is sometimes also visible. The undersides are smooth and whiteish with fine mottling.

Hogsback Caco Cacosternum thorini
Hogsback Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape
Photo by Luke Kemp

Habitat

The Hogsback Caco inhabits montane grasslands where it frequents wetlands with well-vegetated pools.

Behaviour

Little is known about the life history of C. thorini. Its habits are expected to be similar to that of others in the genus. The advertisement call of this species consists of chirps and creaks given from concealed positions in damp grass.

Status and Conservation

Data deficient. Very little is known about the Hogsback Caco as it was only described in 2014.

Distribution

The Hogsback Caco is endemic to South Africa and is restricted to the Hogsback and Amatola Mountains in the Eastern Cape.

Distribution of Cacosternum thorini. Taken from the FrogMap database, April 2022.

Further Resources

The use of photographs by Luke Kemp is acknowledged.

Hogsback Caco Cacosternum thorini  Conradie, 2014

Other Common Names: Hogsback-Blikslanertjie (Afrikaans)

Recommended citation format: Tippett, RM. (2025). Hogsback Caco Cacosternum thorini. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2022/04/04/hogsback-caco-cacosternum-thorini/

References: 

Minter, LR; Burger, M; Harrison, JA; Braack, HH; Bishop, PJ; Kloepfer, D. (Editors). (2004). Atlas and Red Data Book of  the Frogs of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, and Avian Demography
Unit, Cape Town.

Carruthers, V; du Preez, L. (2017). Frogs of southern Africa: A Complete Guide. Struik Nature, Cape Town.

Channing, A. (2001) Amphibians of Central and Southern Africa. Protea Book House, Pretoria

Similar Species

Common Caco (Cacosternum boettgeri)
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!