The common toad (Bufo bufo) is one of the UK’s most iconic amphibians, found throughout the country in a variety of habitats. It plays a vital role in the ecosystem as both predator and prey and is highly valued for its contribution to controlling pest populations. Despite its adaptability, the common toad faces several threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and climate change, making its conservation an important priority.
They remain dormant throughout the winter, emerging in spring when the weather warms. Unlike frogs, which move by hopping, toads walk or crawl, only making short hops when necessary. They have shorter hind legs than frogs, which accounts for their slower and more deliberate movement. One of the toad’s most striking features is its large, golden-brown eyes with horizontal pupils, which give it excellent night vision. Though the effect varies from one species to the next, human activity does cause population decline for some species or regional populations.
Common toad
Most lay eggs after breeding, though the amount varies by species as well. Some lay just a handful of eggs, others lay thousands in a single clutch. Like frogs, most species lay eggs in the water, and these eggs hatch as tadpoles before metamorphosing into adults.
The common toad is typically olive-brown, with warty skin and short back legs. In addition to their role as predators, toads are also considered indicator species. Their presence in an ecosystem is often a sign of environmental health, as amphibians are highly sensitive to changes in water quality, pollution, and habitat degradation.
Interesting Facts About the Toad
They rely on their excellent eyesight to spot prey, which they catch by flicking out their sticky tongues. Both frogs and toads eat a lot of beetles, bugs and woodlice. Frogs will eat a large number of slugs and snails, whereas toads favour ants.
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Unlike frogspawn, which is laid in clumps, toadspawn is laid in long, gelatinous strings, often wrapped around vegetation in the water. Toads travel from non-breeding to breeding areas of ponds and lakes. Bogert (1947) suggests that the toads’ call is the most important cue in the homing to ponds.Toads, like many amphibians, exhibit breeding site fidelity (philopatry). Individual American toads return to their natal ponds to breed, making it likely they will encounter siblings when seeking potential mates. Although inbred examples within a species are possible, siblings rarely mate.6 Toads recognize and avoid mating with close kin. Once they reach adulthood, these amphibians are primarily carnivorous.
They are an indicator species for environment condition, highly sensitive to pollution and chemicals. In addition, the use of pesticides and fertilizers in gardens and farmland can contaminate water bodies, posing a risk to toads and their tadpoles. Climate change is also having an impact, as warmer winters and more unpredictable weather patterns can disrupt the timing of hibernation and breeding. Efforts to conserve the common toad in the UK include habitat restoration, public education, and the establishment of toad crossings. Conservation organizations such as Froglife and the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) work to protect toad habitats and raise awareness of the threats facing amphibians. Creating wildlife-friendly gardens with ponds, avoiding the use of chemicals, and leaving undisturbed areas for hibernation can all help support local toad populations.
Toads are carnivorous and feed on a diet of invertebrates, including insects, slugs, spiders, and earthworms. They are particularly beneficial to gardeners, as they help control populations of slugs and other pests that can damage plants. Toads play an important role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems by keeping insect and slug populations in check. During the colder months, common toads hibernate to survive the winter. They hibernate in frost-free places such as compost heaps, log piles, and deep leaf litter. In some cases, toads may dig into the soil or seek out burrows to protect themselves from freezing temperatures.
- The common toad is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it illegal to intentionally harm, kill, or sell them.
- Conversely, a decline in toad populations can indicate problems with water quality or habitat loss.
- Ok, some species are admittedly a tad ugly, but they are all unique in their own way.
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As both predator and prey, it plays a key role in controlling populations of insects and other invertebrates, while also serving as food for larger animals. Toads help to maintain the balance of ecosystems by keeping pest populations in check, making them valuable allies for gardeners and farmers alike. Outside of the breeding season, common toads prefer damp, shaded areas where they can remain hidden during the day.
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Toads are often brown, grey, or olive in colour, with a pale underside. Their colour varies depending on how to calculate receivables turnover ratio their habitat, helping them blend into their surroundings. Toads are amphibians, breeding in ponds during the spring and spending much of the rest of the year feeding on dry land in woodland, gardens, hedgerows and tussocky grassland.
Conservation status
Toads can cope better with dry conditions, whereas frogs are rarely seen away from damp areas. These warty creatures have a number of myths surrounding them. You can find anything from the popular “Toads give you warts” myth, to their association with witches. Read on to find out more about our amphibian friends and what to do if you find an injured frog or toad. Some require sandy substrates, others need mulch or mud to dig in.
Their primary defense against predators is their ability to secrete a mild poison from their skin, which can cause irritation in the mouth of an attacker. Additionally, toads are known for their ability to remain still for long periods, relying on camouflage to avoid detection. All over mainland Britain, but not in Ireland or mountains. The rest of the year toads can be found in gardens, woodlands and hedgerows.
- These warty creatures have a number of myths surrounding them.
- However, most species have poisonous skin, so people do not usually eat them.
- Additionally, toads are known for their ability to remain still for long periods, relying on camouflage to avoid detection.
- They often take shelter under logs, stones, or leaf litter, emerging at night to feed.
Their diet varies based on the species, where they live, and how large they are. Their primary prey are invertebrates, such as ants, crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, and more. Common toads reach sexual maturity at around 3–4 years of age. In the wild, they can live for up to 10–12 years, though many do not survive due to predation or environmental challenges. Toads that survive to adulthood often return to the same breeding sites year after year, sometimes traveling several kilometers to reach these traditional sites. The common toad has glands on the back of its head known as parotoid glands, which secrete a mild toxin as a defense against predators.
Conversely, a decline in toad populations can indicate problems with water quality or habitat loss. Road mortality is a major threat to common toads during the breeding season, as they often have to cross roads to reach their breeding sites. Many toads are killed by vehicles during this migration, leading to local population declines. In response to this, conservation organizations have set up toad patrols to help toads cross roads safely during the breeding season. A friend of the garden, toads will often hoover up any slugs and snails; protecting plants and flowers.
Pollution and pesticides also impact these amphibians and their prey. Many species also occupy more urban areas close to human settlements. They live in parks, gardens, retention ponds, farms, pastures, and suburbs. It is virtually impossible to lump all of the various species into one specific habitat category. Some live in forests and grasslands, others inhabit wetlands and swamps.