Cover photo by Luke Kemp.
Find the Klipheuwel Caco in the FBIS database (Freshwater Biodiversity Information System) here.
Family Pyxicephalidae
Identification
The Klipheuwel Caco is a small species that reaches 20mm in length. It has a narrow head and a somewhat elongate body that is broadest in the middle. the limbs are relatively long and slender. The dorsal colouration varies from greyish-brown to green with irregular darker brown blotches. The undersides are smooth with around 10 pale brown blotches.
Within its restricted distribution, the Klipheuwel Caco is only likely to be mistaken for the Flat Caco Cacosternum platys, but is differentiated by its smooth undersides with pale brown blotches, and by the 5 small tubercles on the palm.
Near Malmesbury, Western Cape
Photo by Cornelia Rautenbach
Habitat
The Klipheuwel Caco is only known from pools in flooded wheat fields.
Behaviour
Very little is known of the life history of C. aggestum. The advertisement call of this species has been likened to the sound of a bouncing marble.
Status and Conservation
Data deficient. Not enough is known about the Klipheuwel Caco.
Distribution
The Klipheuwel Caco is endemic to South Africa and is restricted to the south-western Cape in the vicinity of Vissershok and Klipheuwel.
Further Resources
The use of photographs by Jean-Paul Brouard is acknowledged. Other images by Ryan Tippett.
Klipheuwel Caco Cacosternum aggestum Channing et al., 2013
Other Common Names: Klipheuwel-Blikslanertjie (Afrikaans)
Recommended citation format: Tippett, RM. (2025). Klipheuwel Caco Cacosternum aggestum. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2022/04/04/klipheuwel-caco-cacosternum-aggestum/
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
