Adult: Species description based on Ibanez et al (1999). A medium-sized toad (males to 43 mm, females to 55 mm). Dorsal: Dorsal patterning and coloration is extremely variable in this species. The background color ranges from grey or black to light or dark brown, with or without reddish undertones. The dorsum may be uniform in color, or a light middorsal stripe may be present, or large, dark leaf-like patterning may be present. The dorsum is covered in small tubercles, giving the skin a velvety appearance. The paratoid glands are small. Ventral: The ventral surface is cream-colored, with or without some brown mottling. Eye: The iris is green. Extremities: The hands and feet are unwebbed.
Breeding season: Rhinella alata breeds explosively in permanent streams and pools, primarily in the wet season (Wells 1979, Ibanez et al 1999). However, breeding activity is not necessarily correlated with rainfal (Wells 1979). Peak oviposition activity occurs during the afternoon following pairing at night (Wells 1979). Females may breed as often as every six weeks (Wells 1979). Egg: Eggs are consumed by Leptodactylus savagei tadpoles but not a poecillid fish (Wells 1979).
Ecology: Rhinella alata is diurnal and commonly observed hopping in the leaf litter (Ibanez et al 1999). This toad sleeps on leaves on low-lying vegetation at night (Ibanez et al 1999). Call: Three to five quickly repeated low grunt-like notes (Ibanez et al 1999). Behavior and communication: Males actively pursue females to mate, rather than calling and waiting for the female to come to them (Wells 1979). Unpaired males will attempt to dislodge a male already in amplexus with a female (see photograph in Wells 1979). Type locality: Panama . . . . à Obispo