# Natterjack Toad (*Epidalea calamita*) The Natterjack Toad is a special toad with a loud call and a yellow stripe down its back. It loves to live in sandy areas and is known for its hopping instead of jumping. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Sandy areas - **Also known as:** Common Natterjack, Natterjack ![Natterjack Toad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/BufoCalamita_Sand.jpg&width=800) Photo: Christian Fischer, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BufoCalamita_Sand.jpg) ## Appearance The Natterjack Toad has warty, olive-brown to greyish skin, often with dark spots and a distinctive yellow stripe down its back. Its pupils are horizontal. Unlike many other toads, it has relatively short legs, giving it a flatter appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Bufonidae - **Genus:** Epidalea ## Interesting facts - A group of toads is called a 'knot'—what a funny name! - Natterjack Toads have horizontal pupils, like a tiny line! - Their tadpoles can grow into tiny toads in as little as 8 weeks! - Unlike most toads, Natterjacks often walk or run instead of hopping! ## Special abilities - **Speedy Runner:** Natterjack Toads can run quickly on land, which helps them chase prey and escape from predators. - **Sand Digger:** Natterjack Toads can burrow backward into sandy soil, helping them hide from danger and stay cool. - **Toxic Shield:** Natterjack Toads have special skin glands that produce toxins, protecting them from hungry animals. - **Loud Speaker:** Natterjack Toads can make a very loud mating call, helping them find partners across wide areas. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 6-8 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.025 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 1 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3000-7000 - **Metamorphosis:** 42-56 days ## Diet & Feeding Natterjack Toads eat many different small insects and other invertebrates, but their tadpoles feast on plants. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles are herbivorous, primarily consuming algae and detritus, while adults are carnivorous. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, ants, spiders, caterpillars, woodlice - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Grass Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grass-snake) (*Natrix helvetica*) — A common predator in their European range. - **Eaten by:** [Grey Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron) (*Ardea cinerea*) — Opportunistic bird predator of amphibians. - **Hunts:** [Ground Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ground-beetle) (*Carabus nemoralis*) — A common insect prey item. - **Hunts:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — Another frequent food source. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of 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. - [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. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch toads from a distance and don't touch them, as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Natterjack 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 Natterjack Toad? 6-8 cm ### How much does Natterjack Toad weigh? 0.01-0.025 kg ### How long does Natterjack Toad live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Natterjack Toad move? 1 km/h ### What does Natterjack Toad eat? Natterjack Toads eat many different small insects and other invertebrates, but their tadpoles feast on plants. ### Where is Natterjack Toad usually found? Sandy areas ### How does Natterjack Toad hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [CarlAlexanderPark (Baesweiler)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/carlalexanderpark-baesweiler) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Park - [Doñana National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/do-ana-national-park) — Andalusia, ES · National Park - [Georges-Valbon Departmental Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/georges-valbon-departmental-park) — Île-de-France, FR · Park [View all places to see Natterjack Toad](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/natterjack-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*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Natterjack Toad: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/natterjack-toad)