Where are Natterjack found in the wild?

You can find these quirky amphibians hopping around in sandy heathlands, coastal dunes, and wet grasslands across Eurasia. They thrive in habitats that offer shallow pools for breeding and soft, moisture-retaining soil, creating ideal conditions for their warty skin and nocturnal lifestyle!

"File:Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita) male calling (16184496963).jpg" by Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Natterjack

Jump into the lively world of warty wonders!

"File:Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita) male calling (16184496963).jpg" by Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Basics

Scientific Name

Epidalea calamita

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Location

Eurasia

Average size

2.5 to 3 inches long

diet

Insects, spiders, worms

lifespan

11 to 12 years

Let’s Explore

Overview

The Natterjack toad is a quirky amphibian found across parts of Eurasia. This little green fellow grows to an average size of 2.5 to 3 inches long, making it a real jump-start to your curiosity about nature!
Natterjacks belong to the class Amphibia and the order Anura, which means they share a family tree with frogs and other toads. They are part of the Bufonidae family, known for their dry, warty skin and love for cool, damp environments.
This chubby toad has some awesome dining habits! Natterjacks munch on insects, spiders, and worms, making them great bug-busters in their habitats. Talk about being a nature's pest control!
These toads can live quite a long time! They usually enjoy a lifespan of 11 to 12 years, which is a significant period for a small creature. That means they get to hop around and explore their surroundings for many years!
You can spot Natterjacks roaming about during warm, moist nights because they are nocturnal. Their unique vocalizations can make nighttime sound like a toad concert, adding to the symphony of sounds in nature!
Natterjacks have a unique feature called a

Where can you find a Natterjack in the wild?

What does a Natterjack eat?

How big can a Natterjack grow?

How long does a Natterjack typically live?

What is the conservation status of the Natterjack?

What are the main threats to the Natterjack?

wowzerful facts

Natterjack toads can make a loud and distinctive call, which sounds like a loud, hoarse grunt. This quirky sound can echo through their habitats and help them find friends during the mating season!

These toads have a unique night-time talent: they are great burrowers! They dig into sandy soils to escape the heat during the day, turning into tiny underground creatures until the sun goes down.

Natterjacks enjoy a little leap-frog action! During breeding season, males can be found wrestling each other to win the attention of females, leading to quite the amusing show!

This toad has special glands on its skin that can let off a funny smell when feeling threatened. It's like nature's way of saying 'not today, predator!' with a stinky surprise!

Natterjack toads are experts at quick snacks! They can catch fast-moving insects by flicking out their long, sticky tongues in a blink of an eye, just like a superhero uses their powers!

These toads like to sunbathe! They often sit on warm sand during cool mornings, soaking up the sunlight to get energized for their nighttime adventures.

Natterjacks use their strong legs for long jumps, covering about two meters in a single leap. That's like jumping the length of a mini car in one go!

Their skin is warty and bumpy, helping to retain moisture in dry conditions. This is like wearing a water bottle as a sweater – pretty smart for staying hydrated in the wild!

Natterjacks can change color slightly depending on their environment. This sneaky color shift helps them blend in and hide from hungry predators lurking nearby!

These toads have a favorite snack, and it is grasshoppers! If you spot a Natterjack, you might see it leaping after these little critters with impressive accuracy.