Over time, farmers in Andhra Pradesh have unexpectedly become the unsung conservationists of a rare amphibian.
Found in the rocky outcrops of the Deccan Plateau and the Eastern Ghats, the Gunther’s toad, or rock toad, thrives in the temporary freshwater pools that naturally form on boulders. The adult toads rest inside crevices and breed in the pools.
Much of this habitat overlaps with farmland, creating shared spaces between humans and the shy, elusive toad.
For several years, researcher Saneesh C.S. closely observed the toad, its breeding cycles, and its unique relationship with farmers in multiple villages in Andhra Pradesh.
In May 2025, Saneesh and his team published their findings, showing how farming choices — like leaving boulders undisturbed and reducing pesticide use — helped safeguard the toad and its habitat.
In Somrajkunta, farmers collectively decided not to flatten the boulders or bring in heavy machinery, choosing instead to protect the toad and other wildlife that support their fields.
But this fragile coexistence faces new pressures. Expanding granite mining in the region could one day disrupt these shared spaces. If the landscape changes, so could the future of the lesser-studied amphibian.
In their paper, the researchers retained the toad’s older scientific name, Duttaprynus hololius, though it has now been reclassified as Firouzophrynus hololius. For its neighbourhood farmers, it is gronde kappa in Telugu, after its distinctive croak.
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