Distribution of the species
The Common toad is found in Europe (excluding Ireland and the northern parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula), North-West Africa and Asia, reaching east almost to Lake Baikal.
In Bulgaria the species is found throughout the country up to an altitude of 1 300 m, but is found in Pirin and at an altitude of 1 960 m.
Description of the species (biological and ecological features)
The Common toad is a large amphibian, reaching a length of 18 cm, with females being much larger than males. It is colored in dark brown to dark green and is covered with the characteristic “warts”.
The toad feeds on small insects, worms, arachnids, snails. Larger specimens can also eat some species of small snakes, lizards and rodents that devour them alive. It usually hunts at night and is most active in wet weather.
It lives on land, but near pools of water, which it uses for breeding. The species spends the day buried in loose ground, hidden in wet foliage or some other suitable place, and at night goes hunting. When attacked by a predator or disturbed, it secretes a poisonous secretion from its skin that is strong enough to stop most enemies.
The breeding season occurs between March and May. The females then spawn in various shallow pools of water. They strive to do this in the reservoir in which they were born. The tadpoles of Common toads have a larger and rounder head and a shorter tail than those of water frogs.
Conservation status
Unknown.
Conservation state
The Common toad is a protected species included in Annex 3 of the Biodiversity Act (BDA) The species is also included in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species with category Least Concern (LC).
*Note: For the description of amphibians and reptiles is used information from: Golemanski, V. & al. (eds). 2015. Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. Vol. 2. Animals. BAS & MoEW, Sofia [English ed.: ISBN 978-954-9746-22-8 (IBER – BAS), 978-954-8497-18-3 (MoEW)]; Biserkov, V. (Editor), 2007. A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Bulgaria. Sofia, Green Balkans, 196 pp.; the website of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).