Natterjack Toad

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Natterjack
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Bufonidae Genus: Epidalea Species: E. calamita
Binomial name
Epidalea calamita Laurenti, 1768

The Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita) is a toad native to sandy and heathland areas of Northern Europe. Adults are 60 - 70 mm in length and are distinquished from the common toad by a yellow line down the middle of the back. They have relatively long legs, and this gives them a distinctive gait, contrasting with the hopping movement of many other toad species.

Natterjacks have a very loud and distinctive mating call, amplified by the single vocal sack found under the chin of the male animal.

Contents 1 Life history 1.1 Reproduction 2 Conservation 3 Gallery 4 References

[edit] Life history

This toad lives for up to 12 years and feeds on insects, weevils and other small animals. At night it moves along open terrains with very sparse vegetation and in loose sand the tracks can often be seen. They move along considerable distances each night, which enables the species to colonize new habitats very quickly.

[edit] Reproduction

The Natterjack Toad spawns between the end of April and July, laying 'strings' of eggs in shallow pools. The loud mating calls are important because the Natterjack Toad is often present in low numbers so it is important that the sexes can find each other. It also enables the biologist to determine the presence of the natterjack toad.

The pools need to have a very slight slope with a sparse vegetation on the banks and in the water. These are very often temporary pools and sometimes the larvae die when the pools dry out. The Natterjack however compensates for that risk by mating a few times each summer and the age of the juveniles can vary from a month to 3 months in september.

[edit] Conservation

In the UK this species is one of only three amphibians protected under the national Biodiversity Action Plan. The reason for the threatened status of this organism is: (a) loss of habitat from human overpopulation, (b) reduction in habitable coast from construction of dykes and seawalls, and (c) acidification of aquatic habitat from acid rain and other pollution factors.

[edit] Gallery

Young 17 september

Young 17 september

Young in burrow 13 september

[edit] References

• Beja, P. et al. (2004). Bufo calamita. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern