From a scientific point of view, the family Bombinatoridae includes species of toads characterized by a flat body, with a colorful red or yellow abdomen, widely distributed from Europe to Asia.

Vietnam has only one species of purple toad, which is the small membranous purple toad, whose name is Bombina microdeladigitora. In many documents in our country, they are briefly referred to as purple toads.

At first glance, this species of toad looks close to the house toad, but delving into the anatomy will reveal many differences, such as triangular eye holes, no eardrum, rounded tongue attached to the floor of the mouth. Their body length is about 70 – 80 mm.

The dorsal surface of the Vietnamese purple toad is brass or green with many large pimples with small holes to secrete resin – a form of venom. The abdomen, hands, and feet of the purple toad have large colorful red and yellow spots on a black background. Males have rougher skin than females.

The habitat of the purple toad is the high mountains of 1,200 meters or more. They live in rock holes, water-filled trees, feed mainly at night, the food is insects. Females are rarely seen, but mostly males.

Purple toads have a very unique way of defending themselves. When threatened, they do not try to run away, but will turn their stomachs upside down to show a warning that they are very poisonous, anyone who foolishly swallows them will have to “hold hatred”.

Perhaps, the stubborn and defiant attitude in the face of stronger people made the ancient Vietnamese so respectful that they had to say “purple guts”. That was also the time when purple toad was still present in many places and was easy to see.

Today, the small membranous toad has become a very rare amphibian, living only in a small area in southern China and northern Vietnam.

In Vietnam in the 20th century, this species was recorded in Ha Giang (Tay Con Linh), Lao Cai (Sapa), Lai Chau, but now there is only one population in the Hoang Lien Son range. In the Red Book of Vietnam.

Without appropriate conservation measures, the purple toad species of Vietnam will face the risk of disappearing in the future. At that time, they left only one legacy, the phrase “purple toad bravery”.