What Species Is the Devil Toad? Meet Beelzebufo
The name “devil toad” is best matched to Beelzebufo ampinga, an extinct giant frog from the Late Cretaceous, about 70 to 65 million years ago. Its fossils come from Madagascar. The genus name joins “Beelzebub” with the Latin word for toad, though it is a frog. Press reports also call it the “devil frog”. Because “devil toad” is a nickname, not a formal name, other animals may share it.
If you searched “devil toad”, you probably saw a news story about a huge fossil frog. That animal is Beelzebufo ampinga. It is the clearest match I found for the name.
Some websites link the name to a small living toad. I found no source that supports that. This guide explains the fossil species and shows where the evidence changes.
How this was made: prepared with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed at the end. Images are AI-generated illustrations, not photographs of real animals or products.
Key Takeaways
- Devil toad most often means Beelzebufo ampinga, an extinct fossil frog.
- Its fossils come from Madagascar and date to about 70 to 65 million years ago.
- Early estimates gave about 16 inches and 10 pounds; a later analysis suggested about 10 inches.
- Spiky skull flanges and plate-like armor set it apart from most frogs.
- Its body fits the horned frog family Ceratophryidae, which today lives only in South America.
- Devil toad is a nickname, not an official common name, so check the scientific name.
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The devil toad is a fossil frog
Beelzebufo ampinga lived in the Late Cretaceous, about 65 to 70 million years ago. Scientific American reports it lived in what is now Africa, and its fossils were found in Madagascar.
The name has two parts. A report on the original research says the genus joins the Greek word for devil, Beelzebub, with the Latin word for toad, bufo. The species name ampinga means “shield”.
Despite the “toad” in its name, researchers describe it as a frog. That is one reason news outlets used both “devil frog” and “devil toad”.
How big was Beelzebufo?
Sources disagree on its size, because estimates changed as more fossils were found.
A 2008 report on the first analysis, led by David Krause of Stony Brook University, said it was about 16 inches (41 cm) long and roughly 10 pounds (4.5 kg). That report called it perhaps the largest frog ever to exist.
A later PLOS ONE analysis reported in Scientific American suggested a smaller frog, closer to an African bullfrog at about 10 inches (25.4 cm) across. So the safest statement is a range: roughly 10 to 16 inches.
| Source | Estimated size | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 research report | About 16 in (41 cm), 10 lb (4.5 kg) | Early fossil fragments |
| Later PLOS ONE analysis | About 10 in (25.4 cm) across | Closer to an African bullfrog |
Armor, jaws and diet
Scientific American reports that Beelzebufo had spiky flanges at the back of its skull and plate-like armor down its back, resembling a turtle shell. Plates were also embedded in its skin. Researcher Susan Evans said it was “even more heavily armored than we imagined.”
The reason for the armor is not confirmed. It may have protected the frog from dinosaurs, crocodiles and mammals, or it may have helped it burrow and avoid dry heat.
The 2008 report describes powerful jaws and an extremely wide mouth. It says the frog probably preyed on lizards and other small vertebrates, possibly even hatchling dinosaurs. Scientific American says it likely ambushed small mammals, much as African bullfrogs do. These diets are inferences from the skeleton, not observed behavior.
Where does it fit on the family tree?
Researchers link Beelzebufo to the horned frogs. Scientific American says its body fits the family Ceratophryidae, which lives only in South America today. The 2008 report names the South American “pac-man” frogs as its closest living relatives, based on the big mouth.
That link matters because Madagascar and South America are far apart. Scientific American notes that the land route between them was submerged by 112 million years ago, so the lineage must have split earlier.
The two reports also differ on when the first bones were found: 1993 in the 2008 report and 1998 in the Scientific American story. Both agree the team later gathered many fragments, about 75 in the 2008 report, to reconstruct much of the skeleton.
Is there a living devil toad?
Some pages say the devil toad is a small living toad from South America. I found no scientific source that uses the name that way, so I cannot confirm it.
If you saw a living animal called a devil toad, check its scientific name. True toads belong to the family Bufonidae. See what kind of species a toad is for the basics, or what the most common toad is for living species.
Frequently Asked Questions
What species is the devil toad?
The best match is Beelzebufo ampinga, an extinct giant fossil frog from Madagascar. Devil toad is a nickname, not a formal name.
Is the devil toad a frog or a toad?
Researchers describe Beelzebufo as a frog, although its name includes the Latin word for toad.
How big was the devil toad?
Estimates vary from about 10 inches to about 16 inches, depending on the analysis.
When did the devil toad live?
About 70 to 65 million years ago, in the Late Cretaceous period.
Did the devil toad eat dinosaurs?
Reports say it may have eaten lizards, small mammals and possibly hatchling dinosaurs. These are inferences from its skeleton.
Is the devil toad still alive?
No. Beelzebufo is known only from fossils. Its closest living relatives are South American horned frogs.
Bottom Line
The devil toad is best matched to Beelzebufo ampinga, a heavily armored, wide-mouthed frog that lived with dinosaurs in Madagascar.
Estimates of its size and diet will keep changing as researchers analyze more fossils, so treat the numbers as ranges.
Sources
- Scientific American: Ancient “Devil Frog” May Have Sported Armor, accessed Size revision, armor, relatives, age
- EurekAlert: Beelzebufo ampinga research news release, accessed 2008 size estimate, jaws, naming, fossil count
