Catequero Bullfrog

The common sand frog, a member of the Pyxicephalidae family, is a species that thrives in the arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Scientists theorize that it may belong to a cryptic species complex, suggesting the existence of multiple hidden species under this designation. However, detailed information about the exact distribution of Tomopterna cryptotis, the nominal species, remains scarce.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), these frogs are found in numerous African countries, including Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly in Benin, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Guinea.

These frogs are typically quite common in suitable habitats. They favor sandy soils near water in dry savannas, grasslands, and semi-desert areas. They can also be found in montane grasslands at higher elevations. During the breeding season, they seek out temporary pools, roadside puddles, and oases.