A Toad the Color of a Pumpkin

Imagine a tiny toad that is bright orange, just like a pumpkin at Halloween. It is so small that it could sit on the tip of your finger! These little creatures are called pumpkin toads, and scientists are still finding new kinds of them.

Pumpkin toads live in the forests of Brazil, a big country in South America. They hop around on the forest floor among fallen leaves. Their bright color is like a warning sign that says, 'Don't eat me — I might not taste good!'

Why So Small?

Pumpkin toads are some of the smallest animals with backbones in the whole world. Some are less than one centimetre long — that is shorter than your fingernail!

Because they are so tiny, they have a fun problem. Most frogs and toads can hear each other croak, but pumpkin toads have trouble hearing. So instead, some of them glow with special bones that shine through their skin to help them talk to each other!

A Year Full of New Animals

Every year, scientists discover thousands of new animals, plants, and insects. In 2025, explorers and researchers found all sorts of surprising creatures hiding in jungles, oceans, and mountains around the world.

Finding a new species is like solving a puzzle. Scientists study the animal's body, its color, and even its DNA — the tiny instructions inside every living thing — to be sure it really is brand new and not just a relative of an animal we already know.

Why New Discoveries Matter

Each new animal teaches us something about how nature works. The more we learn, the better we can protect wild places like rainforests, where so many creatures live.

Some animals, like the pumpkin toad, only live in one small area. If we keep their forest home safe, these special creatures can keep hopping around for a very long time.

There's Still So Much to Find

Scientists believe millions of animal species are still waiting to be discovered. That means somewhere out there, an animal no one has ever seen before is hiding right now.

Who knows? Maybe one day a curious kid like you will grow up to find the next amazing creature — and get to give it a brand-new name!