# Fire-bellied Toad (*Bombina orientalis*)

The Fire-bellied Toad is a small, colorful frog that loves to hop around near water. Its bright belly warns predators to stay away!

- **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Wetlands and ponds
- **Also known as:** Chinese Fire-bellied Toad, Oriental Fire-bellied Toad

![Fire-bellied Toad](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424584/objects/5659.jpg)

## Appearance

The Fire-bellied Toad has a striking bright green top with dark spots and a rough, warty skin. Its most unique feature is its vibrant red-orange and black mottled underside, which flashes as a warning.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Amphibia
- **Order:** Anura
- **Family:** Bombinatoridae
- **Genus:** Bombina

## Interesting facts

- Males have a soft, bell-like call, not a typical croak!
- Their sticky tongue can snatch insects faster than a blink!
- These toads can breathe through their skin underwater!
- They 'play dead' by flipping over to show their warning colors!

## Special abilities

- **Warning Flash:** Fire-bellied Toads can flip over to flash their bright red belly because it warns predators that they are toxic.
- **Skin Shield:** Fire-bellied Toads have glands in their skin that release a mild toxin, which helps protect them from being eaten.
- **Underwater Hideout:** Fire-bellied Toads can stay submerged for long periods, which helps them hide from danger.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 4-6 cm
- **Weight:** 0.005-0.015 kg
- **Lifespan:** 10-15 years
- **Speed:** 0.5 km/h
- **Clutch Size:** 50-200
- **Metamorphosis:** 42-70 days

## Diet & Feeding

They mostly eat small insects and worms, hunting them both on land and in the water.

- **Age differences:** Tadpoles eat algae and detritus; adults primarily eat insects and small invertebrates.
- **Primary Foods:** Insects, Worms, Slugs, Snails, Small crustaceans
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — A common snake predator in some ranges.
- **Eaten by:** [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) — Wading birds often prey on amphibians.
- **Hunts:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — Toads ambush ants as part of their diet.
- **Hunts:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Toads forage for earthworms in damp soil.

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [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.
- [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)
- [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 Fire-bellied 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 Fire-bellied Toad?

4-6 cm

### How much does Fire-bellied Toad weigh?

0.005-0.015 kg

### How long does Fire-bellied Toad live?

10-15 years

### How fast can Fire-bellied Toad move?

0.5 km/h

### What does Fire-bellied Toad eat?

They mostly eat small insects and worms, hunting them both on land and in the water.

### Where is Fire-bellied Toad usually found?

Wetlands and ponds

### How does Fire-bellied Toad hunt?

Foraging

## Where to spot

- [Ungok Ramsar Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ungok-ramsar-wetland) — KR · Park

## 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: [Fire-bellied Toad: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fire-bellied-toad)