General full text One of the most remarkable amphibians of the Iberian Peninsula, not because of its appearance, but because of its extraordinary parenting behavior. This little toad looks fairly modest at a glance, with warty skin and big golden eyes that give it a perpetually wide-eyed expression. Its coloration is typically gray or brownish with greenish or yellowish patches, blending perfectly into the rocky scrublands, oak forests, and meadows of central and western Spain and parts of Portugal. By day, it hides under stones or in burrows, but at night, its haunting, bell-like call floats through the air, one of the first signs that these secretive creatures are around.

Its unique breeding strategy makes the Iberian midwife toad stand out. After mating on land, the female lays long strings of eggs, which the male carefully winds around his hind legs. He then takes on the role of full-time caregiver, carrying these eggs for several weeks, keeping them safe from predators and moist by seeking out damp soil or even dipping into water. When the embryos are ready to hatch, the male releases them into ponds, streams, or even cattle troughs, where they complete their development as tadpoles. This remarkable behavior—rare among amphibians—earned them the name “midwife toads” and makes the species a symbol of paternal devotion in the animal kingdom.

The Iberian midwife toad is also highly adaptable in terms of habitat. While it prefers open woodlands, scrublands, and meadows, it can also thrive in agricultural areas and villages, provided water sources are nearby. Its secretive lifestyle means it is rarely seen, but its distinctive call—a high-pitched, flute-like note repeated rhythmically—can often be heard on warm spring nights, sometimes mistaken for the chirping of insects. This voice, carrying far across the landscape, is a key part of its courtship and territory defense.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Portugal

2023

Spain

2023