Cover photo by Jorrie Jordaan.
Find the Southern Caco in the FBIS database (Freshwater Biodiversity Information System) here.
Family Pyxicephalidae
Identification
The Southern Caco is a small species that attains 18mm in length. It is a graceful frog with a narrow head and a wide body. The upper parts are pale brown with scattered dark markings. A broad paler band is sometimes present, running from the snout down the length of the back. A dark band extends from around the eye to the forearm, and there is a broad white band on the upper lip. The underside is smooth with numerous small black spots and brown markings.
Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area, Western Cape
Photo by E. Brink
Habitat
The Southern Caco frequents temporary rain-filled pools in sandy coastal areas and in rocky places further inland.
Behaviour
Very little is known about the life history of C. australis. The advertisement call of this species has been likened to the sound of a bouncing marble. The ecology of the Southern Caco is likely similar to other Cacosternum species.
Status and Conservation
Data deficient. The Southern Caco was only described in 2013.
Distribution
The Southern Caco C. australis is endemic to South Africa and is restricted to the southern Cape and Little Karoo.
Further Resources
The use of photographs by E. Brink and Jorrie Jordaan is acknowledged.
Southern Caco Cacosternum australis Channing et al., 2013
Other Common Names: Suidelike Blikslanertjie (Afrikaans)
Recommended citation format: Tippett, RM. (2025). Southern Caco Cacosternum australis. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2022/04/04/southern-caco-cacosternum-australis/
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
