Stats

Lifespan: 10-12 yrs
Size: Medium
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Nocturnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Temperate forest
Range: Europe
Movement: Walking
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Toxins
Status: Common

About

Europe's most widespread toad, recognized by its rough warty skin, amber eyes, and stocky build. During spring breeding migrations, males will clasp almost anything that moves in an instinctive reflex called amplexus — including other males, fish, and inanimate objects.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A jelly-coated egg is laid in water and develops over days into an aquatic larva.
2.
tadpole
A gilled tadpole swims and grazes on algae, slowly absorbing its tail and growing limbs.
3.
juvenile
A near-adult amphibian leaves the water with new legs and lungs, smaller than the mature form.
4.
adult
Fully grown at adult size, breathing air.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Bufo
Species: Bufo bufo