Renowned for its striking appearance and distinctive behaviors, this toad is known for their vividly colored undersides. The yellow-bellied toad, true to its name, boasts a bright yellow or orange belly, contrasted with dark black patches, serving as a warning to predators about its toxic nature.
Typically small in size, yellow-bellied toads rarely exceed 5 cm (2 in) in length. Their dorsal side is less colorful, usually a mottled gray or brown, which provides excellent camouflage against the rocky and wooded habitats they prefer. These toads are predominantly found in shallow, often temporary water bodies like puddles, ditches, or slow-moving streams, particularly in mountainous or hilly regions. They thrive in these environments, which offer protection from larger aquatic predators due to the temporary nature of the water bodies.
One of the most remarkable behaviors of the yellow-bellied toad is its breeding strategy. Breeding takes place typically in spring or early summer. Males attract females through a series of calls, which are subtle compared to those of other amphibian species. The females lay eggs in small clusters on underwater vegetation, and these hatch into tadpoles that are uniquely adapted to their often ephemeral aquatic environment. The tadpoles must develop quickly to reach metamorphosis before their water pools dry up.
The yellow-bellied toad also exhibits the “unken reflex,” a defensive behavior common among Bombina species. When threatened, the toad arches its back and limbs to expose its brightly colored belly, deterring potential predators with the display of its toxic warning colors. This behavior is not only a critical survival tactic but also a dramatic display that highlights the unique adaptations of these toads.
Distribution
Albania
Austria
Belgium
Official estimate
Bosnia And Herz.
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czechia
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Italy
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Montenegro
North Macedonia
Poland
Romania
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine
United KingdomAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
