Common Midwife Toad

Alytes obstetricans

The Common Midwife Toad is a small, unique toad that carries its eggs on its back! They love to live near water and are great at hopping around.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Common Midwife Toad is a small, stout amphibian with rough, warty skin that ranges in color from greyish-brown to olive green, often marked with darker spots. It has large, prominent eyes with golden irises and striking vertical pupils, making it visually distinct from many other toads.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderAnuraFamilyAlytidaeGenusAlytes

Common Midwife Toad

Interesting facts

Its whistle-like call is so clear, it sounds like a tiny flute!

Midwife toad tadpoles can take over a year to grow up!

They spend most of their day hiding in burrows they dig themselves.

Unlike most frogs, they dislike big ponds and prefer damp soil.

Special abilities

Common Midwife Toad has the male carry eggs on his hind legs because this protects them from predators and drying out.

Common Midwife Toad has vertical pupils that help them see better in low light, making them excellent nocturnal hunters.

Common Midwife Toad can secrete a mild toxin from its skin because it deters predators from trying to eat them.

Measurements & details

Length: 3.5-5.5 cm
Weight: 0.005-0.015 kg
Lifespan: 5-9 years
Top Speed: 0.5 km/h
Clutch Size: 20-70
Metamorphosis: 150-400 days

Diet & Feeding

This toad mostly munches on small creepy-crawlies it finds while hopping around at night.

Age differences: Tadpoles are herbivorous, feeding on algae and plant matter, while adults are strictly insectivorous.

Primary Foods

ants
spiders
beetles
slugs
woodlice
earwigs

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eats

Red Wood Ant

Formica rufa

A common meal for the toad.

eats

Garden Spider

Araneus diadematus

Captures these small arthropods.

eaten by

Grass Snake

Natrix natrix

A primary predator in its habitat.

eaten by

Carrion Crow

Corvus corone

Birds can snatch them from land.

Traits

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Solitary

Meet animals that enjoy their independence! These creatures prefer to live by themselves, finding food and shelter on their own.

Camouflaged

Look closely for animals that are masters of disguise, blending perfectly into their surroundings! Their colors and patterns help them hide from others.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!

Wetland

These fascinating areas are covered by water for at least part of the year, creating a perfect home for unique plants and animals, like marshes and swamps.

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Miniature

Discover tiny wonders that are super small, perfect for a close-up look at nature's little details!

Aquatic

Discover amazing creatures that call water their home, whether it's oceans, rivers, or lakes! These habitats are full of incredible life.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.

Endangered

These are amazing plants and animals that are very rare and face a high risk of disappearing forever. We need to help protect them so future generations can enjoy them too!