Classification
Order: anura
Family: bufonidae
Genus: bufo
Species: bufo bufo
Habitat
This species is very common throughout Europe (except for Ireland, Iceland and some Mediterranean islands), as well as in the north-west of Africa, in Mongolia, China and Korea. It can be found in woodland, especially in wet locations, as well as in fields, gardens, parks etc.
Outward appearance
It is the largest toad species in Europe. Males normally reach the length of about 8 cm, females are significantly larger (up to 20 cm).
They have short and squat bodies. Their heads are big, with wide mouths. The eyes are orange, with black horizontal pupils. Behind the eyes there are parotoid glands that contain poisonous substance – bufotoxin. This toxin acts as a nauseant if the toad ends up in the predator’s mouth. The skin of the toad is dry and warty. European toads are usually olive-brown or gray-brown. This species copes easily with dehydration (it can lose up to 30% of its weight due to the water evaporation). Toads store water in their skin during their night baths in dew.
Character
This is a nocturnal species. At daytime European toads hide under tree roots, stones or in rodents’ burrows. They are mostly active during the rain. These toads move quite slowly and only jump when threatened. This is the most cold resistant of toad species.
They hibernate from the end of September to the end of March. Normally they hide under fallen leaves, in burrows or water pipes. After hibernation they migrate to mating areas. When threatened, this toad inflates and takes an aggressive posture.
Maintenance care
These toads need a horizontal tank sized at least 40x30x25 cm for 1-2 specimens. For heating you can use a heating cord, a heating pad or a reflector. At night heating is not necessary. The temperature in the basking spot should be around 28C, the ambient temperature should be 23-25 degrees at daytime and 18-20 degrees at night.
You can create in the tank a landscape reminding of the toad’s natural environment. You have to put in the tank different logs, driftwood and shelters, as well as artificial or real plants. On the bottom of the tank you should first put a 4-5 cm thick layer of drainage, then a 10 cm layer of fresh soil and above it some moss. If you are not planning to have real plants, you can use for substrate coconut husks covered with sphagnum. A water bowl is recommended, but you will also have to mist your tank daily with warm water. The sphagnum has to be wet all the time.
Toads can be kept in groups but immediately after hibernation males have to be kept separately from females.
Feeding
In the wild European toads mainly eat invertebrates. In captivity they are fed with large crickets, cockroaches, mealworm, superworm, earthworm and pinky mice. Young toads eat the same type of food but in smaller sizes. Tadpoles are omnivore. They eat algae, protozoa and crustaceans. In captivity they are fed with small invertebrates, plant suspensions and commercial food. Tadpoles and young toads have to be fed daily; during the metamorphosis larvae don’t eat. Adult toads have to be fed at least every second day. During the mating season males don’t eat.
Young and adult toads need mineral supplements that contain calcium. At least once a month they should get vitamins too. The toad notices potential prey up to 3 m away. They hunt with the help of their sticky tongue. If toads are trying to get a big prey, they catch it with their jaws helping with the front legs. They never eat offal.
Features
These toads are passive poisonous. The toxin is in paratoid glands and toads use it as protection against predators. If the glands are squeezed, the poison splatters up to 1 m around. Try to avoid having the toxin on your mucous.
Diseases
European toads are hardy amphibians that very rarely get ill. Under proper care they live a long healthy life – up to 30 years.
Breeding
The common toad emerges from hibernation in spring and there is a mass migration towards the breeding sites. Adults use the same location year after year. The males arrive first and remain in the location for several weeks while the females only stay long enough to mate and spawn. Rather than fighting for the right to mate with a female, male toads may settle disputes by means of the pitch of their voice. Male toads generally outnumber female toads at breeding ponds.
The males mount the females' backs, grasping them with their fore limbs under the armpits in a grip that is known as amplexus. A successful male stays in amplexus for several days and, as the female lays a long, double string of small black eggs, he fertilises them with his sperm. The egg strings, which may contain 3000 to 6000 eggs and be 3 to 4.5 metres in length, get tangled in plants. Small tadpoles hatch out after two to three weeks. At first they cling to the remains of the strings and feed on the jelly.
