Manaus, Brazil – August 12, 2026
A team of herpetologists from the Amazon Biodiversity Institute has announced the discovery of an exceptionally large and unusually shaped toad deep in the Brazilian rainforest. The specimen, found during a routine biodiversity survey, has been officially named Jabba due to its remarkable physical resemblance to Jabba the Hutt from the Star Wars franchise.
The toad was located on a muddy forest trail in a remote section of the Amazon basin. Measuring approximately 28 centimeters in length and weighing an estimated 2.1 kilograms, the animal displays a heavily textured, greenish-yellow bumpy skin, a broad flattened body, and a distinctive seated posture that immediately reminded researchers of the iconic Star Wars character.
“When we first saw it sitting there with its arms folded, the resemblance was impossible to ignore,” said Dr. Elena Vargas, lead field biologist on the expedition. “The rounded body, the heavy folds of skin, and the calm, almost regal expression made the name Jabba an obvious and fitting choice. We’ve never encountered an individual of this size and morphology in this region before.”
Initial examinations suggest the toad may represent either an exceptionally large specimen of a known species or a previously undocumented variant. Tissue samples and DNA analysis are currently underway at the institute’s laboratory in Manaus. The animal remains in its natural habitat under observation, with researchers prioritizing non-invasive study methods.
The discovery highlights the continued biological richness of the Amazon and the potential for new findings even in well-surveyed areas. Further details, including high-resolution imagery and preliminary scientific data, will be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Neotropical Herpetology.
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