# Yellow-bellied Toad (*Bombina variegata*) The Yellow-bellied Toad is a small, colorful frog with a bright yellow belly. It loves to live near ponds and wetlands, where it can hop around and sing its cheerful songs. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Yellow-bellied Toad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/BombinaVariegataJuv.jpg&width=800) Photo: Christian Fischer, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BombinaVariegataJuv.jpg) ## Appearance The Yellow-bellied Toad has a flattened body with warty, grey, brown, or olive-green skin on its back. Its underside is vividly bright yellow or orange with large, irregular dark blotches, which makes it visually distinct. It also features unique heart-shaped pupils. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Bombinatoridae - **Genus:** Bombina ## Interesting facts - Its babies start as plant-eating tadpoles before becoming meat-eating bug hunters! - The Yellow-bellied Toad's eyes have super unique heart-shaped pupils! - These toads often lay their eggs in temporary puddles, trusting them to last. - Yellow-bellied Toads can amazingly live for over 15 years in protected habitats! ## Special abilities - **Belly Flash Defense:** Yellow-bellied Toad can arch its back and show off its bright belly to warn predators it is toxic. - **Toxic Skin Shield:** Yellow-bellied Toad has special glands that release a mild toxin to deter animals from eating it. - **Aquatic Breathing:** Yellow-bellied Toad can absorb oxygen directly through its skin, helping it stay underwater for longer. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 3.5-5.5 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.015 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 0.1 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 100-300 - **Metamorphosis:** 30-70 days ## Diet & Feeding Feeds on small insects and other invertebrates found near shallow water. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles are mainly herbivorous, feeding on algae; adults are carnivorous. - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Beetles, Spiders, Slugs, Worms, Insect larvae - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Grass Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grass-snake) (*Natrix natrix*) — Main predator in many areas. - **Eaten by:** [Grey Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron) (*Ardea cinerea*) — Wading bird preys on amphibians. - **Eaten by:** [Red-backed Shrike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-backed-shrike) (*Lanius collurio*) — May prey on smaller toads. ## Traits - [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. - [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. - [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. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Poisonous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/poisonous): Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching toads, as they can have special skin that might irritate you. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Yellow-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 Yellow-bellied Toad? 3.5-5.5 cm ### How much does Yellow-bellied Toad weigh? 0.002-0.015 kg ### How long does Yellow-bellied Toad live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Yellow-bellied Toad move? 0.1 km/h ### What does Yellow-bellied Toad eat? Feeds on small insects and other invertebrates found near shallow water. ### Where is Yellow-bellied Toad usually found? Wetlands ### How does Yellow-bellied Toad hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Bavarian Forest National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bavarian-forest-national-park) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Bavarian Forest Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bavarian-forest-nature-park) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Zoo Wasserstern](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-wasserstern) — Bayern, DE · Zoo - [Saône Marsh](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saone-marsh) — Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, FR · Park - [Ravin de Valbois National Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ravin-de-valbois-national-nature-reserve) — FR · Park - [Petite Camargue Alsacienne National Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/petite-camargue-alsacienne-national-nature-reserve) — Grand Est, FR · Park [View all places to see Yellow-bellied Toad](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/yellow-bellied-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: [Yellow-bellied Toad: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-bellied-toad)