Brachycephalus ephippium, commonly known as pumpkin toadlets, are fascinating creatures native to the neotropical rainforests along Brazil’s Atlantic coast. Despite the name, these animals are not related to pumpkins or traditional toads.

These tiny amphibians reach adulthood at an astonishingly small size, comparable to a chickpea. This diminutive stature brings certain advantages, yet imposes limitations. One significant limitation is their inner ear, which remains underdeveloped due to their size. Consequently, their movements can appear erratic or awkward.

Intrigued by these unique characteristics, Atlantic science writer Katie Wu explores an interesting question: if a frog cannot jump effectively, does it retain its identity as a frog? This inquiry is elaborated in her article, ‘A Frog So Small, It Could Not Frog.’ The peculiar movement style of pumpkin toadlets is further illustrated in a video from the Florida Museum.

This exploration into the pumpkin toadlet’s behavior and biology was produced by Rebecca Ramirez, edited by Gabriel Spitzer, and subjected to thorough fact-checking by Rachel Carlson.