Pleurodema bibroni

Description

Pleurodema bibroni is a species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. Its common name is four-eyed frog, although this name can also refer to the genus Pleurodema in general. The common name refers to two inguinal poison glands that resemble eyes. When threatened, the frog lowers its head and raises its rear. When the frog adopts this posture the poison glands are also raised toward the predator. The predator may also confuse the frog's raised posterior for the head of a larger animal. Pleurodema bibroni is found in Uruguay and southern Brazil. Its natural habitats are coastal sand plains, open savannas, rocky outcrops, grasslands and open montane habitats. Breeding takes place in temporary pools. It is a rare species that occurs in widely scattered populations. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by encroaching agriculture, human settlements, and pine plantations.