14-516: The natterjack toad ( Epidalea calamita ) is a toad native to sandy and heathland areas of Europe and the United Kingdom. Adults are 60–70 mm (2.4–2.8 in) in length, and are distinguished from common toads by a yellow line down the middle of the back and parallel paratoid glands . They have relatively short legs, which gives them a distinctive gait, contrasting with the hopping movement of many other toad species. Natterjacks have
28-508: A feng shui charm for prosperity. True toad A true toad is any member of the family Bufonidae , in the order Anura (frogs and toads). This is the only family of anurans in which all members are known as toads , although some may be called frogs (such as harlequin frogs ). The bufonids now comprise more than 35 genera, Bufo being the best known. Bufonidae is thought to have originated in South America . Some studies date
42-598: A project involving Fota Wildlife Park and the National Parks and Wildlife Service has released 6,000 toadlets into their natural range in County Kerry. The natterjack toad is used as a symbol for Dooks Golf club in Kerry. Toad List of Anuran families Toad is a common name for certain frogs , especially of the family Bufonidae , that are characterized by dry, leathery skin, short legs, and large bumps covering
56-454: A very loud and distinctive mating call amplified by the single vocal sac found under the chin of the male. Natterjacks live for up to 15 years, and feed mainly on insects , especially beetles. At night, they move around open terrain with sparse vegetation, and their tracks can often be seen in loose sand. They move considerable distances each night, enabling the species to colonize new habitats very quickly. The natterjack toad spawns between
70-640: Is confined to the Solway Firth , a reserve is at Caerlaverock . In Wales, the species became extinct in the 20th century, but has been reintroduced as part of the Biodiversity Action Plan. To reverse habitat loss, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has created ponds for the species with some funding from the Heritage Council . The natterjack is considered endangered in Ireland. As of July 2021,
84-556: Is now almost completely confined to coastal sites. The natterjack is the only species of toad native to Ireland. It is found in County Kerry ( Dingle Peninsula and Derrynane ) and also in County Wexford , where it was introduced to a dune site. In mainland Europe, particularly in the southern part of its range, it lives inland in a variety of habitats. In the UK , the threatened status of
98-409: The parotoid glands . In popular culture ( folk taxonomy ), toads are associated with drier, rougher skin and more terrestrial habitats. However, this distinction does not align precisely with scientific taxonomy . In scientific taxonomy, toads include the true toads (Bufonidae) and various other terrestrial or warty-skinned frogs. Non-bufonid "toads" can be found in the families: Usually
112-576: The United Kingdom, common toads often climb trees to hide in hollows or in nest boxes. In Kenneth Grahame 's novel The Wind in the Willows (1908), Mr. Toad is a likeable and popular, if selfish and narcissistic, comic character. Mr. Toad reappears as the lead character in A. A. Milne 's play Toad of Toad Hall (1929), based on the book. In Chinese culture, the Money Toad (or Frog) Jin Chan appears as
126-419: The end of April and July, laying strings of eggs in shallow, warm pools. Because the natterjack toad is often present in low numbers, its loud mating calls are important so that the sexes can find each other. Natterjacks can only spawn in pools that have a very slightly sloping bottom, and tolerate only sparse vegetation on the banks and in the water. Since pools of this description are often temporary, sometimes
140-402: The largest of the bumps on a toad's skin are those that cover the parotoid glands. The bumps are commonly called warts, but they have nothing to do with pathologic warts , being fixed in size, present on healthy specimens, and not caused by infection. It is a myth that handling toads causes warts. Toads travel from non-breeding to breeding areas of ponds and lakes. Bogert (1947) suggests that
154-556: The origin of the group to after the breakup of Gondwana , about 78–99 million years ago in the Late Cretaceous . In contrast, other studies have dated the origin of the group to the early Paleocene. The bufonids likely radiated out of South America during the Eocene , with the entire radiation occurring during the Eocene to Oligocene, marking an extremely rapid divergence likely facilitated by
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#1732851693557168-409: The species resulted in a national Biodiversity Action Plan designating it as one of three protected amphibians. Reasons for its threatened status include: In England, the toad's sand dune habitat is protected by a number of national nature reserves . For example, in the north-west, reserves are at Hoylake , Ainsdale Sand Dunes , North Walney and Sandscale Haws . In Scotland, where the species
182-497: The tadpoles die when the pools dry out. The natterjack compensates for that risk by mating over an extended period each summer. Thus, in September, the age of the juveniles can vary from one to three months. Early breeders seldom breed again later in the season, though some females do spawn twice in a year. Populations of the natterjack extend through 17 European countries. In the UK, the toad
196-608: The toads' call is the most important cue in the homing to ponds. Toads, like many amphibians, exhibit breeding site fidelity ( philopatry ). Individual American toads return to their natal ponds to breed, making it likely they will encounter siblings when seeking potential mates. Although inbred examples within a species are possible, siblings rarely mate. Toads recognize and avoid mating with close kin. Advertisement vocalizations given by males appear to serve as cues by which females recognize kin. Kin recognition thus allows avoidance of inbreeding and consequent inbreeding depression . In
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