# European Toad (*Bufo bufo*) The European Toad is a plump, bumpy creature that loves to hop around in gardens and ponds. They are great at catching insects and can be found in many places across Europe. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![European Toad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bufo_bufo_2_%282005_07_11%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Taka, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bufo_bufo_2_%282005_07_11%29.jpg) ## Appearance The European Toad is stout with dry, warty skin, typically greyish-brown to olive green, making it distinct from smooth-skinned frogs. It has prominent orange or coppery eyes with horizontal pupils and often displays dark spots or blotches. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Bufonidae - **Genus:** Bufo ## Interesting facts - A female European Toad can lay up to 7,000 eggs at once! - European Toads migrate long distances to reach breeding ponds! - These toads 'play dead' by lying still when threatened! - They don't drink water, but absorb it through their skin! ## Special abilities - **Warty Warrior:** European Toads have glands in their skin that release a bitter, toxic substance, helping them deter predators. - **Underwater Egg Laying:** European Toads lay their long strings of eggs in water, which helps protect their developing young. - **Burrowing Bouncer:** European Toads can dig into soft soil using their hind legs, helping them find shelter and hide from danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 5-15 cm - **Weight:** 0.02-0.1 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-15 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1000-7000 - **Metamorphosis:** 50-90 days ## Diet & Feeding European Toads are nocturnal hunters, feasting on small creepy crawlies they can catch with their sticky tongue! - **Age differences:** Young toads eat smaller invertebrates; adults consume larger insects and some small vertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** slugs, worms, spiders, beetles, woodlice - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Grass Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grass-snake) (*Natrix natrix*) — Main predator, often immune to toad's toxins. - **Eats:** [Eurasian Eagle-Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-eagle-owl) (*Bubo bubo*) — Large bird of prey that can hunt toads. - **Eats:** [European Perch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-perch) (*Perca fluviatilis*) — Eats toad spawn and tadpoles in ponds. - **Hunts:** [Leopard Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — Common food source for adult toads. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Poisonous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/poisonous): Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Don't touch toads unless you have permission from an adult, as some can make you feel sick. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European 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 Toad? 5-15 cm ### How much does European Toad weigh? 0.02-0.1 kg ### How long does European Toad live? 5-15 years ### How fast can European Toad move? 0.5 km/h ### What does European Toad eat? European Toads are nocturnal hunters, feasting on small creepy crawlies they can catch with their sticky tongue! ### Where is European Toad usually found? Wetlands ### How does European Toad hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Ammergau Alps Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ammergau-alps-nature-park) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Bavarian Forest Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bavarian-forest-nature-park) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Naturpark Fränkische Schweiz – Frankenjura](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/franconian-switzerland-frankenjura-nature-park) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Naturpark Hessische Rhön](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-hessische-rhon) — Hessen, DE · Park - [Forstbaumschule (Kiel)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/forstbaumschule-kiel) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Park - [Landschaftspark Herzberge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/landschaftspark-herzberge-berlin) — Berlin, DE · Park [View all places to see European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/european-toad) ## 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*) - [Western Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon vehiculum*) --- Source: [European Toad: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad)