It is a toad whose entire life history plays out on the summit plateau — and whose life history is entirely unusual for a toad.

Most toads, in most places, require water for reproduction.

The female lays eggs in water, the eggs hatch into tadpoles, and the tadpoles undergo metamorphosis in water before emerging as small toads capable of terrestrial life.

Water is the non-negotiable requirement for toad reproduction across the vast majority of toad species.

The Roraima bush toad does not follow this rule.

On the summit of Roraima, standing pools of water are abundant from the constant rain, and the toad could theoretically use them.