# European Green Toad (*Bufo viridis*)

The European Green Toad is a cute little toad that loves warm weather! They often sit in sunny spots to soak up the sun.

- **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands and gardens
- **Also known as:** Common Green Toad

![European Green Toad](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771438753/objects/5656.jpg)

## Appearance

The European Green Toad has smooth, warty skin, strikingly patterned with olive-green or dark green blotches over a light grey or whitish background. Its distinct coloring helps it camouflage in grassy environments and sandy areas.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Amphibia
- **Order:** Anura
- **Family:** Bufonidae
- **Genus:** Bufotes

## Interesting facts

- Female toads can lay thousands of eggs in long, jelly-like strings in the water!
- Their unique call sounds like a rapidly trilling whistle, not a typical croak!
- They can change their skin color slightly to blend even better with their surroundings!
- Unlike most amphibians, these toads can live far from water, even in very dry grasslands!

## Special abilities

- **Defense Slime:** European Green Toad has special glands that produce a mild toxin, making them taste bad to predators and deterring attacks.
- **Brackish Bather:** European Green Toad can survive in slightly salty, or brackish, water, an unusual ability for an amphibian!
- **Burrow Builder:** European Green Toad can dig burrows to escape heat and cold, helping them survive harsh weather conditions.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 5-9 cm
- **Weight:** 0.02-0.07 kg
- **Lifespan:** 7-12 years
- **Speed:** 0.5 km/h
- **Clutch Size:** 2000-15000
- **Metamorphosis:** 40-70 days

## Diet & Feeding

This toad loves to munch on many kinds of small insects and other tiny creatures.

- **Primary Foods:** Beetles, Ants, Spiders, Slugs, Worms
- **Foraging Method:** Ambush

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Grass Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grass-snake) (*Natrix natrix*) — A common predator, snakes like to hunt these toads.
- **Eaten by:** [Grey Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron) (*Ardea cinerea*) — Large wading birds like herons prey on toads near water.
- **Eats:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — Toads often eat ants, especially if they are abundant.
- **Eats:** [Golden Ground Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-ground-beetle) (*Carabus auratus*) — Ground beetles are a favorite meal for these toads.

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.
- [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

## Collections

- [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians)
- [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify European Green Toad?

Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is European Green Toad?

5-9 cm

### How much does European Green Toad weigh?

0.02-0.07 kg

### How long does European Green Toad live?

7-12 years

### How fast can European Green Toad move?

0.5 km/h

### What does European Green Toad eat?

This toad loves to munch on many kinds of small insects and other tiny creatures.

### Where is European Green Toad usually found?

Grasslands and gardens

### How does European Green Toad hunt?

Ambush

## More Amphibians

- [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*)
- [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*)
- [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*)
- [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*)

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Source: [European Green Toad: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-green-toad)