Toad (Common)

admin — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:35:33 +0000

The Common Toad is the most widespread and the most popular amphibian in England. It can be found in woodlands, rough grasslands, moors, scrubs and gardens. Even though it spends most of its life on land, it usually lives in places which are not more than two kilometres away from ponds. Masses of Common Toads head towards ponds around February to March when they look for partners.

The Common Toad is normally an olive-brown or a green-brown colour, but it can be other colours because this toad can change its body colour depending where it lives. Its body is covered in tiny wart-like bumps which contain a poisonous substance to help keep many predators away. The underside of its body is normally white or grey. Its eyes stick out high up on its face and they are an orange-red colour with large black pupils.

Common Toads first start their lives as little black tadpoles which look like tiny fish with long tails and gills. They usually swarm together in large numbers near to the surface of the water. As the tadpoles develop, they grow legs and eventually lose their tails. When this happens, they are no longer tadpoles, but tiny toads. These tiny toads are called ‘toadlets’ and they are able to leave the water to go onto land where they hide under logs or in burrows during the day.

Toad (Natterjack)

admin — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:36:03 +0000

The Natterjack Toad is also known as the ‘runner toad’ because it tends to run more than it hops. It is a very rare and protected species that can be found on lowland heathlands in East Anglia, Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey and Staffordshire, as well as on coastal dunes in the north-east. These areas have loose sandy soil which the Natterjack Toad prefers as it often burrows under the sand to hide during the day.

The Natterjack Toad is normally a yellow-brown or a green-brown colour, but it can be other colours because this toad can change its body colour depending where it lives. Its body is covered in lots of tiny wart-like bumps. The bumps contain a poisonous substance which helps to keep many predators away. The Natterjack Toad also has a yellow stripe down its back. The underside is normally creamy white and its eyes are a yellowy green colour.

Natterjack Toads first start their lives as little black tadpoles which look like tiny fish with long tails and gills. As the tadpoles develop they grow legs and eventually lose their tails. When this happens, they are no longer tadpoles, but tiny toads. These tiny toads are called ‘toadlets’ and they are able to leave the water to go onto land where they hide under the sand.