Natterjack Toad

Natterjack toad - Bufo calamita.jpg
Scientific Name: 
Bufo calamita
Life Span: 
10 - 15 years
Length: 
60 - 70mm
Description: 

It can be distinguished from other species of toads by the bright yellow line running the length of it's back. It is also smaller than the common toad and is olive green in colour with green/gold coloured eyes. It is a fast mover, prefering to walk or run rather than hop.

Males can be distinguished from females by the presence of a large vocal sac and nuptual pads ( hard rough pads on the inside of the forfingers that are used to grip the female during reproduction).

Distribution: 
The Natterjack Toad is now very rare in Britain found mainly in East Anglia, Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, the Cumbria and Lancashire coast and the Strathclyde region of Scotland. It has recently been reintroduced to Wales.
Habitat: 
Natterjacks prefer sandy open locations around the coast, heathland and occasionally brackish water.
Reproduction: 
Spawning is dependant on the weather as they will breed during wet conditions, laying their eggs in pools of water. They lay up to 2000 eggs, which take 7 - 10 days to hatch, longer if the weather is cold.
Behaviour: 

They are mainly nocturnal, tending to sleep under logs, stones or in burrows during the day. They have short limbs and only hop if startled. They normally walk or run, a bit like a lizard.They are poor swimmers and may drown in deep water if they cannot get on shore. When threatened they will inflate their bodies and raise themselves up to appear larger.

They hibernate when the temperature drops below 8 degrees centigrade, usually in late Autumn and will dig their own hibernation tunnels. Sometimes several toads, including the common toad will share these tunnels.

Status: 
They are a protected species and their numbers have been adversely affected possibly due to the decline in their habitat.
Did You Know?: 
Natterjack Toads have the ability to darken or lighten the colour of their skin in order to camouflage themselves.