Common Toad - Bufo bufo

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Species native to the United Kingdom
Introduced or alien species
Alien species that present a threat to wildlife

Common Toad - Bufo bufo - Native

Identification Tailless amphibian. Warty Skin. Distinct bulges on back of head, known as the parotoid glands Tends to walk not jump Covered in obvious warts Horizontal slit pupil yellow/golden brown iris Dorsal surface and flanks, fairly uniform brown/greenish grey May appear light sandy brown in warm weather Ventral surface, dirty white/cream with speckles Some colour variation occurs and individuals have been recorded with brick red spots. Length: males up to 8 cm females up to13 cm	© 2003 Gemma Jane Fairchild RAUK © 2003 Gemma Jane Fairchild RAUK

Sexing

Males have dark nuptial pads on three inner fingers that are very noticeable in the breeding season. Females are generally larger than males.

Breeding and Spawn

Common Toads emerge from hibernation in late February and start a hazardous journey to their breeding ponds. Many toads are killed, as they attempt to cross busy roads. Toads return to the same pond year after year. Males clasp the females in a special hold known as "Amplexus" during mating. They remain like this for a few days as the female lays her spawn.

The male Common Toad has a loud release call that he will use if he is grasped by another male. This sound is the most commonly heard from breeding toads, though the males will croak occasionally to attract a mate.

A male common toad in amplexus with the much larger female. Males often clasp a female on the way to the breeding ponds and hitch a ride.

The spawn of the common toad is easily distinguished from that of the common frog as it is laid in strings not clumps. Closer examination shows that the spawn string contains a double row of eggs. Toadlets metamorphose in June and July.

Spawn of the Common Toad, Dartford Kent, 18th March 2003

What else could it be?

Common Toads often breed in the same water as the Common Frog (Rana temporaria) and may be confused with them. At 8 to 13cm (3 - 5in) the toad is larger than the frog (6 - 9cm, 2.5 - 3.5in) which prefers to hop whereas the toad generally walks. The toad has a rounder snout than frogs when viewed from above and on close inspection, the warty skin of the toad identifies it from frogs.

The Natterjack toad (Bufo calamita), is an extremely rare and elusive creature in the UK. The Natterjack has a very distinctive yellow dorsal stripe. The Natterjack also tends to run as opposed to walking. The two species may also be distinguished by the shape of the parotoid glands. When viewed from above, in the Natterjack Toad these glands lay almost parallel, in the Common Toad the glands diverge from the centre line of the back as they move away from the eye.

Where will I see a Common Toad?

A regular garden visitor, you may encounter the common toad during the warmer months in the UK from late February to early October. Favouring woodlands and damp areas with plenty of cover. The Common Toad is generally more tolerant of dry habitat than the Common Frog. They may breed in garden ponds between February and March and individuals often use gardens as their summer habitat. Spending the days in hollows in the ground, coming out after dark on warm damp evenings to feed on ants, slugs and earthworms.

Female Common Toad, Dartford Kent, 29th March 2003

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