Common Toad
Bufo bufo
The common toad is a robustly built amphibian characterized by dry, warty skin and prominent parotoid glands behind the eyes. Its coloration typically ranges through various shades of brown and grey, with a pale grey mottled underside. It is a widespread species that lives predominantly in terrestrial habitats such as forests and gardens outside of the breeding season.
Details
Identification
Warty skin, horizontal pupils, copper-colored iris, large parotoid glands, males lack vocal sacs.
Social behavior
Mostly solitary outside the breeding season; large aggregations occur at spawning sites.
Diet
Feeds on various invertebrates such as earthworms, slugs, spiders, and various insects.
Hunting strategy
Acts as a sit-and-wait predator, capturing prey with its sticky tongue or snapping it up directly with its mouth.
Spawning substrate
Aquatic plants, branches, or reed stalks around which the meter-long spawn strings are wrapped.
Overwintering
Hibernation in frost-free underground burrows, under dead wood, stone piles, or in cellars.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important consumer of invertebrates and prey for specialized predators such as the grass snake.
Natural predators
Grass snake, European polecat, grey heron, common buzzard; tadpoles are eaten by great diving beetle larvae.
Competitor species
Common frog (competition for spawning sites), other common toad males during mate selection.
Ecosystem service
Regulation of insect and slug populations in agricultural and garden ecosystems.
Threats
Road mortality during migration, loss of small water bodies, intensive agriculture, and pesticides.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Horizontal pupils with copper to golden iris. No light dorsal stripe (distinction from the Natterjack toad). Hind legs are relatively short, which is why the species moves by walking rather than hopping.
Role in food web
Important regulator of insect and snail populations. Larvae influence algal biomass. Serves as prey for specialized predators.
Protection & threats
Main threats
High mortality due to road traffic during migration, habitat fragmentation, loss of breeding ponds, and pesticide use in agriculture.
Population trend
Still common in large parts of Europe, but significant regional declines are recorded due to habitat loss and isolation.
Conservation measures
Creation of alternative breeding ponds, installation of amphibian protection fences (stationary or mobile), habitat connectivity, and promotion of extensive agriculture.